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State Budget
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Last Updated: July 14, 2009 Governor Schwarzenegger released three "May Revision" versions of the proposed 09-10 budget. According to the Governor, the initial act of releasing two budgets was an effort to highlight for voters the impact of the May 19 special election. One version reflected cuts to fill a projected $15.4 billion hole that would result if Propositions 1C, 1D, and 1E passed on May 19, the second version reflected additional cuts that would be made to fill a $21.3 billion gap if the propositions failed. Both proposed deep cuts to health care and welfare programs that affect the patients served by Community Clinics and Health Centers (CCHCs). Upon the failure of the propositions and an ever worsening economic downturn the state faced a $24 billion deficit which resulted in the release of a third “May Revise” with further devastating cuts to health and human services, including CCHCs, that few had even fathomed. BUDGET ALERT AND ACTION REQUIRED Daily Emails sent to members reproduced below:
Budget Today - July 13, 2009 Weekend Work- After a slow week of budget negotiations, the Big 5 continued to meet over the weekend and both Democrats and Republicans expressed some optimism over reaching an agreement as their meetings concluded Sunday evening. Lawmakers continued to warn that severe cuts to state programs remained unavoidable but said they hoped to reach a compromise within the next several days. Rumors had circulated last week that a deal might not be reached until August. Weekend discussions focused on Schwarzenegger’s reform proposals which have to do with finding cost savings and ending abuse in welfare, in-home support and health care programs. The Governor’s office claims that his reform proposals could save California up to $1.7 billion this fiscal year; the savings could be used to make up for some cuts that have been made, or proposed, in other programs. CPCA staff continues to closely monitor budget negotiations and proposed cuts. Please look for CPCA Budget Alert emails for timely information on the state budget, as well as important clinic advocacy requests. For additional information related to the state budget please contact Alison Ramey (aramey@cpca.org) or Serena Kirk (skirk@cpca.org).Budget Conference Committee Update The Budget Conference Committee heard all health issues on June 15, 2009. There is talk that certain health issues may be reopened and face additional cuts in the coming days. As of now, we are hearing that Conference Committee will not reconvene until after a vote on the budget is taken, likely sometime next week. CPCA will update membership on any developments CPCA has created a grid tracking the proposed reductions to CCHC priority healthcare programs and will continually update to reflect the actions taken by the Committee. You can access this document at any time by clicking the link below.Budget Conference Committee Update: Capitol Rumblings: Check back tomorrow for Capitol Rumblings.Advocacy Around the State Venice Family Health Clinic sent out an action alert to 5,000 people on Thursday of last week. Additionally, they are doing extensive phone calling from their waiting rooms using volunteers and outreach workers and sending signed petitions to the Governor, informing him of the impact the proposed cuts will have on them specifically. This is in addition to the 3,500 signatures already sent to their legislative members and the Big Five. Redwood Community Health Coalition (RCHC) had a successful coalition rally with over 150 people in attendance! Santa Rosa demonstrators decry proposed cuts to health care | PressDemocrat.com | The Press Democrat | Santa Rosa, CAWestside Family Health Center continued their weekly protest with 45 people. The rallies are scheduled for every Wednesday from 1:30 to 1:45 and include staff, volunteers, patients and their children and people who are walking by. Continued support by foot traffic and passing cars is high. In the News: Council of Community Clinics Health Policy Director Gary Rotto goes on the record about how the state-issued IOUs will impact the services of local health clinics. http://www.kpbs.org/videos/2009/jul/10/4478/#video Below are articles noting the distribution of Federal Stimulus dollars to Community Clinics and Health Centers: Washington Post Wall Street Journal http://www.thedailytell.com/2009/07/california-healthcare-foundation-grants-10-million-to-keep-states-health-clinics-running/ Please continue to forward media, photos and testimonials to Aracely Navarro at anavarro@cpca.org. Advocacy Around the State: Description of clinic and health center advocacy activities. Calendar of Events CPCA now has a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Please join our networks and forward it to others who may be interested in clinic advocacy. Action Required Track the Impact- With the loss of Medi-Cal optional benefits and the threats to CCHCs in the current round of budget negotiations, please begin tracking the impact of the proposed and already implemented cuts. CPCA plans to conduct a survey to track any service limitations, hour limitations, staff layoffs, and closures, but for the time being please send any in all information that illustrates the impact of cuts to Aracely Navarro (anavarro@cpca.org). This information will be vital as we move forward. To locate your State Senator and Assemblymember, please go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and simply enter in your zip code, then find their phone and fax number in the attached roster.
Budget Today - July 8, 2009 MRMIB Implements Healthy Families Waitlist 7-17-07- The MRMIB made a finding that sufficient funds are not available to cover the estimated costs of HFP expenditures and that it is necessary to limit enrollment in the program to ensure that expenditures do not exceed available funding. The Board has implemented an HFP Wait List effective July 17, 2009. The Board also indicated that the Executive Director should look at all options to obtain alternative funding or reduce program costs. Under the HFP regulations, the Executive Director can rescind the implementation of the wait list if sufficient funding is found to cover the estimated costs of HFP expenditures. The Board’s next meeting will be July 30, 2009. Additionally, the First 5 Commission will be meeting July 15, 2009 and will potentially be discussing providing possible backfill of HPF funds. Additional questions should be directed to Tahira Bazile (tbazile@cpca.org).
Budget Conference Committee Update The Budget Conference Committee heard all health issues on June 15, 2009. There is talk that certain health issues may be reopened and face additional cuts in the coming days. As of now, we are hearing that Conference Committee will not reconvene until after a vote on the budget is taken, likely sometime next week. CPCA will update membership on any developments CPCA has created a grid tracking the proposed reductions to CCHC priority healthcare programs and will continually update to reflect the actions taken by the Committee. You can access this document at any time by clicking the link below.Budget Conference Committee Update: Capitol Rumblings No Sense of Urgency- Media coverage of the budget impasse has exposed more and more Californians to the mess that the state is being faced with. However, leaders in the Capitol seem to have lost track of the urgency. Budget talks have all but broken down in Sacramento and people are searching for the next time pressure will be put on their leaders. Some thought that the next pressure point would be this Friday, the final date banks said they would accept IOUs as cash for customers. But there hasn't been a flurry of talks this week, and Assembly Speaker Karen Bass walked away from negotiations as a form of protest against the governor's position. Big 5 meetings are continuing, but many people are beginning to think that the impasse could last for quite some time, as the Governor seems resolute in his demands. Advocacy Around the State Please continue to forward media, photos and testimonials to Aracely Navarro at anavarro@cpca.org. Advocacy Around the State: Description of clinic and health center advocacy activities. Calendar of Events CPCA now has a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Please join our networks and forward it to others who may be interested in clinic advocacy. Action Required Track the Impact- With the loss of Medi-Cal optional benefits and the threats to CCHCs in the current round of budget negotiations, please begin tracking the impact of the proposed and already implemented cuts. CPCA plans to conduct a survey to track any service limitations, hour limitations, staff layoffs, and closures, but for the time being please send any in all information that illustrates the impact of cuts to Aracely Navarro (anavarro@cpca.org). This information will be vital as we move forward. Send CPCA Your Postcards- Please continue sending CPCA the postcards addressed to the Governor, Pro Tem Steinberg, Speaker Bass and Conference Committee Chair, Evans urging them to hold the line on Traditional Clinic Programs. As the gloom of the budget continues, CCHCs remain in a vulnerable position that is encouraging statewide mobilization to save clinic programs. Please have your clinics staff, patients and CCHC advocates sign them and send them back to CPCA by Friday, July 10. As budget negotiations continue CPCA will determine if postcards should be accepted beyond this week. If you have questions, please contact Aracely Navarro at anavarro@cpca.org. Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - English Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - Spanish Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - Vietnamese Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - Traditional Chinese Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - Simplified Chinese
To locate your State Senator and Assemblymember, please go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and simply enter in your zip code, then find their phone and fax number in the attached roster.
Budget Today - July 7, 2009 Budget Rumors - No real action in Sacramento today on the state budget, though rumors continue to circle the capitol. On one hand, there are rumors that a budget deal may be reached and ready for a vote by as early as this Friday, while others are saying a compromise is nowhere near in sight and instead believe the budget remains at a stalemate, continuing on a 2-6 week timeline. After Assembly Speaker Bass's boycotting of the Big 5 budget negotiations due to her being “tired of Schwarzenegger's new reform proposals, which are not likely to help erase the state's $26.3 billion shortfall”, questions as to her decision to do so raise concerns over the possibility of the Senate cutting a bad budget deal, causing her to pull out of negotiations in disgust and frustration. Caregivers and Disabled Block Governor's Office - Furious About Cuts to HHS - About 100 protesters blocked the entrance to the governor's office today. The People's Day of Reckoning Coalition organized the protest. The group is calling for "A budget solution that is based upon shared responsibility and shared sacrifice -- not a solution that falls squarely upon the shoulders of children, people with disabilities, elders, the chronically ill, the unemployed and the impoverished". Several Democratic Legislators came downstairs to show their support to those participating in the sit-in on the Governor, including Senator Gil Cedillo, Assembly Member Nancy Skinner, Assembly Member John Perez and Assembly Member Jim Beall. Protestors cheered in agreement with comments about the need for shared sacrifice and a balanced budget. Budget Conference Committee Update The Budget Conference Committee heard all health issues on June 15, 2009. There is talk that certain health issues may be reopened and face additional cuts in the coming days. As of now, we are hearing that Conference Committee will not reconvene until after a vote on the budget is taken, likely sometime next week. CPCA will update membership on any developments CPCA has created a grid tracking the proposed reductions to CCHC priority healthcare programs and will continually update to reflect the actions taken by the Committee. You can access this document at any time by clicking the link below.Budget Conference Committee Update: Capitol Rumblings On July 1, an article ran in the New York Times, entitled "Who Can Possibly Govern California", where Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger’s drastic disconnect with the experiences of Californians became an obvious reflection of his inability to successfully govern California during this immense economic crisis: “Our wallet is empty, our bank is closed. Our credit is dried up.” He called for cuts that would, among other things, eliminate health insurance for close to a million poor kids, stop welfare checks for more than half a million families and close 80 percent of the state’s parks. Then he pivoted into empathy mode. “I see the faces behind those dollars,” Schwarzenegger said. “I see the children whose teachers will be laid off. I see the Alzheimer’s patients losing some of their in-home support services.” Schwarzenegger reclined deeply in his chair, lighted an eight-inch cigar and declared himself “perfectly fine,” despite the fiscal debacle and personal heartsickness all around him. “Someone else might walk out of here every day depressed, but I don’t walk out of here depressed,” Schwarzenegger said. Whatever happens, “I will sit down in my Jacuzzi tonight,” he said. “I’m going to lay back with a stogie.” For the full article go to: http://www.nytimes.com/2009/07/05/California_Ungovernable CPCA continues to participate in coalition with other advocates across sectors who are being impacted severely by the budget. One major coalition in particular will be shifting their messaging to the Governor’s tremendous disconnect with California families and will be coordinating advocacy efforts grabbing hold of this major public slip on the Governor’s part, by focusing on his tremendous disconnect with the impact the deep cuts proposed will have on individuals and families across the state, which he was elected and trusted to govern. Advocacy Around the State Community Health Center Resolution Success! (Unrelated to budget, but important update) Over the last several weeks we have sent out alerts encouraging you to contact your Representatives regarding the Senate and House Concurrent Resolutions (SCR 25 & HCR 144). We have gotten a great response back from many of you for your diligent efforts. As the health care reform debate moves along quickly it has become increasingly important to have our Senators co-sponsor and publically show their support for CCHCs, hoping their leadership will trickle down to other members of Congress. Your hard work has not gone unnoticed! Just today after sending out an action alert again requesting your assistance to target California’s Senators we received confirmation that both Senator Feinstein and Senator Boxer have agreed to sign-on as co-sponsors! Thank you!! This is a significant achievement that truly strengthens our position to be included in reform. Thank you all so much for assisting in this effort! Please continue to forward media, photos and testimonials to Aracely Navarro at anavarro@cpca.org. Advocacy Around the State: Description of clinic and health center advocacy activities. Calendar of Events CPCA now has a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Please join our networks and forward it to others who may be interested in clinic advocacy. Action Required Track the Impact- With the loss of Medi-Cal optional benefits and the threats to CCHCs in the current round of budget negotiations, please begin tracking the impact of the proposed and already implemented cuts. CPCA plans to conduct a survey to track any service limitations, hour limitations, staff layoffs, and closures, but for the time being please send any in all information that illustrates the impact of cuts to Aracely Navarro (anavarro@cpca.org). This information will be vital as we move forward. Send CPCA Your Postcards- Please continue sending CPCA the postcards addressed to the Governor, Pro Tem Steinberg, Speaker Bass and Conference Committee Chair, Evans urging them to hold the line on Traditional Clinic Programs. As the gloom of the budget continues, CCHCs remain in a vulnerable position that is encouraging statewide mobilization to save clinic programs. Please have your clinics staff, patients and CCHC advocates sign them and send them back to CPCA by Thursday, July 9. As budget negotiations continue CPCA will determine if postcards should be accepted beyond this week. If you have questions, please contact Aracely Navarro at anavarro@cpca.org. Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - English Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - Spanish Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - Vietnamese Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - Traditional Chinese Traditional Clinic Programs Postcards - Simplified Chinese
To locate your State Senator and Assemblymember, please go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and simply enter in your zip code, then find their phone and fax number in the attached roster.
Budget Today - July 6, 2009 Bass Boycotts- After a disappointing meeting between the Big 5 over the weekend, Speaker Bass boycotted this morning’s meeting. Bass said that the Governor is pushing items unrelated to the budget instead of focusing on solving the $26.3 billion deficit. She also stated that the Governor is demanding the approval of 15-16 reform proposals unrelated to the budget including one that creates a "massive new computer system" to manage the state's public assistance programs. Democratic Senate President Pro Tem Darrell Steinberg and Senate Republican Leader Dennis Hollingsworth, are maintaining their optimism but with each passing day the situation becomes more bleak. Adding to the concerns over reaching a deal is the fact that Schwarzenegger seems to be rethinking his proposal to suspend Proposition 98’s guarantee for education funding, mentioning today that budget aides are researching whether the $3 billion suspension is viable. If aides conclude that the suspension is not viable $3 billion in savings will have to be found somewhere else. Carmela Castellano-Garcia LIVE on Fax Business- CPCA President and CEO, Carmela Castellano-Garcia was featured this morning on the Fox Business channel in a live interview about the budget situation and proposed cuts to healthcare in California. The interviewer had a rather inaccurate perception of happenings in California and asked some hard hitting questions, but Carmela provided compelling responses that made her point clear. Please follow the link below to view the segment titled “More Victims in California’s Budget Crisis?” http://www.foxbusiness.com/video/index.html
Budget Conference Committee Update The Budget Conference Committee heard all health issues on June 15, 2009. There is talk that certain health issues may be reopened and face additional cuts in the coming days. As of now, we are hearing that Conference Committee will not reconvene until after a vote on the budget is taken, likely sometime next week. CPCA will update membership on any developments. CPCA has created a grid tracking the proposed reductions to CCHC priority healthcare programs and will continually update to reflect the actions taken by the Committee. You can access this document at any time by clicking the link below.Budget Conference Committee Update: Capitol Rumblings Legislature Takes Per Diem With Their 4th of July Holiday…and Holds the Budget – As if it were possible to add any more insult to injury during these disastrous times, one-hundred and sixteen legislators…minus Leadership…checked-in on Friday morning to collect their $173/day per diem and then left home to their district for the weekend, while California continues to lose $30 million a day. And while these legislators rode in a parade…if their city/county could even afford it this year…and enjoyed the festivities, negotiations among the Leadership broke down once more. So, with no fix to the State’s hemorrhaging in sight, it is comforting to know that the taxpayers were able to afford legislators to a nice, long and bbq-filled weekend, bringing that daily total $30,020,068…thank you. Advocacy Around the State Westside Family Health Center (WFHC) had overwhelming support as 75 patients and staff members protested the cuts outside of the WFHC site on Monday, June 29th. Most of the staff wore black during the 15 minute protest which motorists also supported. WFHC plans to continue the protests on Wednesdays until a budget protecting the safety net is signed. Pictures of their protest can be found on CPCA’s Facebook account. Additionally, WFHC created a petition drive and faxed the day’s results, totaling 850 signatures to Bass, Steinberg, Schwarzenegger, Pavley and Brownley. CCALAC also participated on a panel for Sen. Gil Cedillo’s Townhall on Health Care: Please continue to forward media, photos and testimonials to Aracely Navarro at anavarro@cpca.org. Advocacy Around the State: Description of clinic and health center advocacy activities. Calendar of Events CPCA now has a Facebook page and a Twitter account. Please join our networks and forward it to others who may be interested in clinic advocacy. Action Required Track the Impact- With the loss of Medi-Cal optional benefits and the threats to CCHCs in the current round of budget negotiations, please begin tracking the impact of the proposed and already implemented cuts. CPCA plans to conduct a survey to track any service limitations, hour limitations, staff layoffs, and closures, but for the time being please send any in all information that illustrates the impact of cuts to Aracely Navarro (anavarro@cpca.org). This information will be vital as we move forward. Send CPCA Your Postcards- Please continue sending CPCA the postcards addressed to the Governor, Pro Tem Steinberg, Speaker Bass and Conference Committee Chair, Evans urging them to hold the line on Traditional Clinic Programs. As the gloom of the budget continues, CCHCs remain in a vulnerable position that is encouraging statewide mobilization to save clinic programs. Please have your clinics staff, patients and CCHC advocates sign them and send them back to CPCA by Thursday, July 9. As budget negotiations continue CPCA will determine if postcards should be accepted beyond this week. If you have questions, please contact Aracely Navarro at anavarro@cpca.org. To locate your State Senator and Assemblymember, please go to http://www.leginfo.ca.gov/yourleg.html and simply enter in your zip code, then find their phone and fax number in the attached roster.
Budget Alert Archives
Summary to be provided shortly. Contact skirk@cpca.org or aramey@cpca.org for information.
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