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Seniors and adult‑day health centers urge emergency $441,000 add‑back after CBAS denials
Summary
Representatives from seven adult day health centers sought a $441,000 emergency add‑back to the Community Living Fund to cover 78 frail seniors who lost CBAS eligibility pending state fair hearings, warning that denials risk hospitalizations and nursing‑home placement.
Adult day health providers, center directors and family members told the committee that the state’s transition to CBAS and new Medi‑Cal eligibility reviews have left many frail seniors at risk of losing daily services. Annie Chung of the San Francisco Adult Day Services Network asked the Board to approve a $441,000 emergency add‑back so 78 seniors can continue attending centers while appeal hearings proceed.
“Without it, she would be in a nursing home,” said Karen Andy, a physical therapist at Stepping Stone, describing an 87‑year‑old participant who she said was initially deemed eligible but then later denied after paperwork review. Staff and family witnesses said delays in scheduling fair hearings — in some cases more than 90 days — force programs to cover services temporarily and then seek reimbursement if clients prevail.
Molly Tobias, a program director at Stepping Stone Mabini Day Health, told supervisors that Community Living Fund support allows clients to attend hearings while staying stabilized at day centers; when denied, many clients deteriorate and require more expensive emergency care. Several speakers said state assessments were 'incomplete' or 'sloppy' and pleaded for local contingency funding during the appeals process.
Committee members did not reach a final funding decision at the hearing; staff and advocates said they will provide documentation and recommended amounts for the Board’s later consideration.
