The elimination of California’s Adult Day Health Care program, scheduled for December 1, 2011, has now been extended until February 29, 2012. Taking its place is a new program called Community Based Adult Services (CBAS). Following a federal lawsuit (Darling et al. v. Douglas C:09-03798 SBA) brought by Disability Rights California and seven other plaintiffs, a compromise has been made. The state will use general fund savings to fund the CBAS program starting at approximately $28 million in 2011-2012 and will increase to $92 million in 2012-2013.

CBAS will help fill the gap left by the elimination of ADHC. This program will provide comparable services and rates including: outpatient skilled nursing care, social services, therapies, personal care, family/caregiver training and support, meals and transportation to eligible low-income seniors and people with disabilities.

Eligibility to participate in CBAS will be determined by state medical professionals on the basis of medical need, and the benefits provided will be coordinated by managed care plans. CBAS will be part of the State’s 1115 Medicaid waiver and will not cap the number of participants, guaranteeing that all eligible beneficiaries are able to receive the services that are imperative to their autonomy in the community. Existing ADHC recipients who are not eligible for CBAS will receive enhanced case management to facilitate the transition to other long-term care services in the community. Many of the current ADHC providers will be able to provide CBAS services, providing uninterrupted care. For more information about the lawsuit, settlement or the CBAS program contact Disability Rights California, http://www.disabilityrightsca.org, 1-800-776-5746.