In Home Support Budget Cuts | ABC30 Fresno

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By ABC30

Sunday, July 26, 2009

Fresno, CA Katherine Homen of Easton has been an in-home caregiver for 13 years. "Every day. I wake up every day and take care of a person in need."

Many caregivers like Homen and the clients they help will be impacted by California's approved budget, which was passed Friday by the State Assembly.

Among the cuts approved are eliminating in-home support services for nearly 40,000 disabled and elderly people.

Jennifer Debussey suffers from fibromyalgia, a crippling muscle disorder. She said without Homen's help, she doesn't know how she'll get by.

"She's my rock, she keeps me from wanting to give up and say just forget it and not deal with it anymore. Her and my kids, that's everything."

"They couldn't support the other parts of the budget"

California Assemblyman, Juan Arambula voted in favor of the cuts to home healthcare. He said, people who need that help the most will not have it taken away.

"Most people will continue to receive services, but those who are most able to take care of themselves or with a very minimum amount of help will not be able to get those services."

Services Katherine Homen fears her clients can't live without.

"I'll volunteer if that's what it takes to make sure everyone is okay. I just wish Arnold Schwarzenegger would wake up. Let the politicians wake up. Stop taking from the poor, stop taking from education."

Governor Schwarzenegger is expected to sign the budget early next week. Until then, there's no word on who specifically will have their in-home services terminated.