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Public hearings to oppose human services cuts

Consumers rally at budget cut hearings

On December 18, 2009, Governor Baldacci announced his proposed budget, which includes deep cuts to human service programs.
Included in the proposed budget are cuts to consumer-directed services:

One cut targets the Home Based Care (HBC) program with a $500,000 reduction, effectively cutting the program in half. Information we have been able to get from the Department of Health & Human Services indicates that this would be achieved by reducing consumer hours of care.

The second cut targets the two MaineCare consumer-directed programs (Section 12-CDAS and Section 22-Waiver). This proposed change will reduce the current hourly rate by 10%. This will not impact hours of care but will reduce the pay rate of your personal attendants, which may make it difficult for you to retain them. This will hurt consumers and personal attendants.

We understand the realities of this recession. We want to work with the Legislature and the Administration to find other ways to reduce expenses without reducing hours of care and the personal attendant pay rate.

These proposed cuts are poor public policy decisions. Consumers and workers will have an opportunity to voice their opposition at these hearings. Public Hearings on these proposed cuts will take place at the State House: