March 20, 2024
MassHealth plans to cut an estimated 6,000 people from PCA services!
Those impacted by MassHealth cuts would be people receiving 10 or less hours/week of assistance with activities of daily living (such as assistance with eating and toileting), including people who may also be receiving 10 hours/week of services with instrumental activities of daily living (such as assistance with laundry and shopping).
MassHealth also proposes to place evaluations for the program in a central entity, which could lead to a medical model of service and a reduction of services.
Additionally, they propose to reduce meal prep time from 13 hours/week to 7 hours/week.
Attend a State House rally to oppose PCA cuts on Wednesday, March 20 at 1:00 pm! Meet outside the accessible entrance on Bowdoin Street for a brief speaking program - then to the governor's office to share concerns!
If enacted these cuts will:
- Leave people without a service supporting independence, health, and dignity.
- Cause declines in health that might require increased health care services or even placement in a nursing facility, in contradiction to the mandate of the Americans with Disabilities Act.
- Reduce work for PCAs, typically women and people of color—an estimated 4,000 PCA may lose work!
- Burden families that may already be covering gaps in services for those on the PCA program, potentially causing unpaid family caregivers to lose their paying jobs.
Call Boston Center for Independent Living at 617-338-6665 or 1199SEIU at 877-409-1199 for more information.
WGBH reported on this issue on March 12
Fight back!
Call Governor Healey and ask her to stop PCA cuts! (617) 725-4005 or (888) 870-7770
A script you can use:
"Hello, my name is [your name], and I reside in [your city or town], Massachusetts. You can reach me at [your phone number]. I'm calling to express my strong opposition to the proposed cuts to the state's Personal Care Attendant (PCA) program. These cuts would affect an estimated 6,000 individuals who rely on this vital service. PCAs offer crucial support with daily activities such as eating, bathing, toileting, transferring, laundry, shopping, housekeeping, transportation to medical appointments, and meal preparation. These services are essential for promoting independence, maintaining health, and preserving dignity. Implementing these cuts would deprive people of a fundamental service, potentially leading to declines in health and possibly requiring increased healthcare services or even admission to nursing facilities. This action would contradict the principles of the Americans with Disabilities Act. Furthermore, reducing support for PCAs would disproportionately impact women and people of color who typically hold these positions. It would also place additional strain on families who may already be filling in gaps in care for their loved ones on the PCA program, possibly resulting in unpaid family caregivers losing their jobs. I urge Governor Healey to understand the critical importance of the PCA program and to reject any proposed cuts. Thank you for your attention to this matter."
Ask legislators to support PCA services & oppose cuts!
Sign a petition here: https://seiumass.salsalabs.org/protectpcahomecare
