SEIU CALIFORNIA
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 27, 2013
Contact: Michael Cox (916) 799-6784
Decision will improve care for Californians who are covered by both Medi-Cal and Medicare
SACRAMENTO, CA – Today, SEIU California State Council President Laphonza Butler released the following statement applauding the federal government’s approval of a key component of California’s Coordinated Care Initiative. California can now move forward with a “dual eligible” demonstration program known as “Cal MediConnect” to improve the coordination of health care services for people with both Medi-Cal and Medicare.
The Coordinated Care Initiative will transform the state’s health care system to deliver patient-centered care that integrates services across the spectrum of care, including medical, behavioral and long-term support.
Statement by SEIU California State Council President Laphonza Butler:
“This is a banner day for those who provide or rely on long-term care in California. Home care workers and care recipients achieved a major victory by passing the ground-breaking Coordinated Care Initiative in 2012. Through the Coordinated Care Initiative, home care providers will have the tools to help California’s most vulnerable population get and stay healthy at home and realize long-term budget savings with improved management of chronic conditions and fewer hospitalizations.
“The federal decision on the Coordinated Care Initiative, combined with the recent settlement on litigation, means we can now say that we have strengthened and secured home care for the California seniors and people with disabilities who depend on it to live safely at home with dignity.”
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SEIU local unions in California are made up of over 700,000 health care workers, janitors, social workers, nurses, security officers, in-home caregivers, school and university employees, court workers, and city, county and state employees.
