SACRAMENTO – Legislation that establishes the Community Based Adult Services (CBAS) program as a permanent Medi-Cal benefit in California passed the Assembly Health Committee on Tuesday, April 9.

AB 518, authored by Assemblymember Mariko Yamada (D–Davis), chair of the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care, and Bob Blumenfield (D-San Fernando Valley), chair of the Assembly Budget Committee, received unanimous bipartisan support with a 19-0 vote.

The CBAS program replaces California’s Adult Day Health Care program (ADHC) which was eliminated as an optional state Medi-Cal benefit in 2011.  

CBAS offers seniors and persons with disabilities a cost-effective alternative to nursing homes by providing integrated medical and social services in community-based settings.

“With a rapidly aging population, and California's most turbulent budget decisions behind us, it is time to start re-building a network of home and community-based options for the elderly and persons with disabilities,” Yamada said.

CBAS was established in settlement of the Darling v. Douglas lawsuit brought against the state on behalf of disabled individuals whose independence was jeopardized by the elimination of California’s long-standing Adult Day Health Care (ADHC) program.

The settlement agreement expires in June of 2014, leaving the future of the program uncertain.

“Thousands of patients and their families don’t know what their future holds when the settlement period expires,” said Blumenfield, author of legislation vetoed in 2011 that closely resembled the CBAS program. “Uncertainty is a nightmare that these families have endured over many years about access to vital care for their loved ones. This bill helps end that.”

AB 518 intends to stabilize the CBAS program by establishing it as a permanent program in state law.  Over the past few years, 48 adult day health care centers have closed their doors at a time when demand for such services is growing.

The Legislature agreed to eliminate ADHC during the height of the state’s budget crisis in 2011 based on an understanding that a similar, though smaller program would replace it.

Lawmakers were blindsided when Governor Brown vetoed the “step-down” program, leaving seniors and persons with disabilities stranded without an affordable alternative to more costly institutional care.

“Making CBAS permanent fulfills the Legislature’s intent to preserve adult day health care services in California,” Yamada said. “Programs like CBAS that enhance well-being, meet consumers' preferences, and provide working families a sense of security for their loved ones should be enhanced, not eliminated,” she said.

The bill will be heard next in the Assembly Committee on Aging and Long-Term Care.

Assemblymember Yamada represents the 4th Assembly District, which includes all or parts of Colusa, Lake, Napa, Solano, Sonoma and Yolo counties.