CA: Governor proposes deeper health and welfare cuts

Sacramento Bee ^ | May 14, 2008 | Judy Lin

[calcowgirl]

In releasing his revised budget Wednesday, Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger proposed deeper cuts to health care and welfare programs for the poor even as his administration calculated that the projected demand for government assistance is growing.

The Republican governor proposed $627 million more in cuts to health and human services, making it harder for poor families to qualify for welfare and health coverage.

"I know this is going to be very difficult ... this is why I had a hard time to make those cuts," Schwarzenegger said. "But the absolute bottom line is we cannot spend money that we do not have."

Under the state's health care program for the poor, known as Medi-Cal, the governor proposes saving $42 million by requiring undocumented immigrants to meet a monthly eligibility requirement for emergency services.

Newly qualified immigrants and some permanent resident immigrants would see their benefits cut to the same level as undocumented immigrants, limiting care to emergency services, pregnancy-related services, long-term care in a nursing facility and breast and cervical cancer treatment. The move would save the state an estimated $86.7 million a year.

[ConservaTexan]

The move would save the state an estimated $86.7 million a year.

How much would the state save if it cut services for crimmigrants completely??

[calcowgirl]

>>The move would save the state an estimated $86.7 million a year.

How much would the state save if it cut services for crimmigrants completely??

The estimates hover at about $10 Billion a year.

[goldstategop]

You know as well I do it stands zero chance of being adopted by the Democrats. That's why Red Arnold proposed the cut. It will never happen.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[SF Republican]

I wonder how much more it would cost citizens of the state if we had to pay for documented workers to do all of the work those illegals do.

[goldstategop]

If California was a rational place, they'd stop subsidizing illegal aliens. That's the last thing the state will do even though its flat broke.

"Show me just what Mohammed brought that was new, and there you will find things only evil and inhuman, such as his command to spread by the sword the faith he preached." - Manuel II Palelologus

[stylin_geek]

I notice the article mentions that projected demand is growing. The obvious questions are: why is demand growing? Where is that demand coming from? Where are the numbers to back up that assertion?

[SoldierDad]

I say cut off those here illegally from receiving anything more than lifesaving medical assistance and the state’s budget problems will straighten out rather quickly. If you stop giving them these services they will not come.

[ridesthemiles]

There is a new item lurking in Kalifornia. I am awaiting the Bill number and some details, but it is called, I believe, “Point of Sale Audit”. It apparently has energy saving as it’s glossy cover story.
It means that when you try to sell your house, you- the seller- will have to undergo an “energy audit” before they can complete the sale. I am unclear right now as to whether the seller will only have to DISCLOSE the details of the “energy audit” or whether the seller will have to “upgrade” their house to a constantly moving target of “building codes”.
I can see total disaster over this:
The real estate market is struggling to survive now, as is.
If a company wants to relocate a person, with or without a promotion, the person may be tied to a house they cannot get sold. “Auditors” are too busy and the waiting list is months long. “Contractors” “approved” by the state to upgrade the property are too far behind, and the costs can escalate because you- the seller—are a captive audience. The price of the “upgrades” could be waaaay more than the new “value” of the property will sell for to a buyer.
I don’t have a clue what would apply to homes and structures that are considered “historic”. Are Anderson Windowalls going to be required in 1850 structures that have been lovingly cared for and kept historic???

Your Granny dies— she has a small property with a little 1950 house on it. It would take a small fortune for that to be brought up to “green” standards or whatever codes they build into this debacle. There are no other funds or assets for the heirs to use to make the house meet the ever-changing “standards” the state will try to impose. Now, the estate cannot be settled, it cannot be sold, and the heirs don’t have the money or the desire to spend money on Granny’s house with the remote possibility of recovering their investment.
Soooo-—the state ends up with a house that no taxes are being paid on, and the circle goes round and round.
Everyone gets cheated- the contractors might make some money, but there will be a scramble for “certified” auditors, contractors, etc, etc, etc. Materials to make these kinds of changes will be in short if any supply.
I can remember when the rules changed on the toilets to smaller holding tanks. My boss, who at that time was a contractor, couldn’t get any toilets anywhere for over 7 months to complete construction he had underway.
This kind of tampering with private property and the buying and selling of same between agreeable parties is another case of lots of unintended consequences.
If I own a house with not very much equity, and I get transferred to another city, I might just up and walk away because I cannot sell the property, and I will lose my promotion. This puts an albatross around my neck for many years to come.
This stranglehold on the real estate market is totally unnecessary. Kalifornia is tampering again with people’s lives. Home owners will be literally frozen in place, because this is another anchor to prevent Kalifornia home owners from fleeing the state and all it’s other stupid regulations and rules.
If anyone in Kalifornia has more information on this bill that is supposed to be voted on in Sacramento around May 22, please post it to me here.
This has to be STOPPED. It will be a total disaster.
There must be some real estate brokers and agents that can get their associations to fight this strongly before those Sacramento fools vote for it.

[MES401067]

That socialism is a bit**.

[LS]

California has always been kind of a harbinger of what’s coming for the rest of the country. It was never a question of “if,” only “when” pols would get serious about cutting these things. Maybe we’re seeing it.

[SF Republican]

It is easier than that, everyone should stop paying illegals to work.

[ConservaTexan]

I wonder how much more it would cost citizens of the state if we had to pay for documented workers to do all of the work those illegals do.

According to calcowgirl, if CA quit paying for healthcare for crimmigrants the state would save $10 billion. At $20 an hour, that money could be spent on a half billion manhours of 'legal' work. That 'legal' work would be subject to state income tax which would increase state revenue somewhat. Think of the money that would be saved if welfare, housing assistance and education as well as many other costs that crimmigrants are generating could be similarly cut.

If you save a few dollars getting your lawn mowed, you pay for it exponentially later.

[SoldierDad]

Except that it won’t be easy to accomplish that. Too many people that are financially independent will not be willing to “give up” the perk of hiring others to take care of their grunge work at their homes and are perfectly willing to turn a blind eye to the fact that they are hiring illegals.

[HwyChile]

There is a very simple solution to this problem: tax the rich and businesses more to cover the cost. While you are at it governor, think up some more government programs that can help the poor, and then just tax the rich and businesses some more to pay for it. Oh, wait. That would be the democrat plan and the governor is a republican, so he cannot use that plan.

[calcowgirl]

if CA quit paying for healthcare for crimmigrants the state would save $10 billion.

That estimate wasn't just healthcare. I believe it includes healthcare, schools, and state prisons.

[peeps36]

Our sick politicians will raise taxes before they cut spending on illegal aliens. It’s a disgrace the way they are screwing America over. They are using our money to pay for the services of millions of people who don’t belong in the country.

[Excellence]

This house will have to be razed. Maybe that’s what they want. A jobs program for homebuilders. Who do we call to complain?

[ConservaTexan]

Oops. It is still such a staggering amount that all Californians should get free lawn care, considering what they pay in other areas to support illegal immigrants. (And Texas is no different)

[calcowgirl]

That is staggering! When you find out more, please post and ping me.

I’ll be motivated to write some letters and make some phone calls.

These folks just never stop!

[Hildy]

You’re absolutely correct..every year there are stories that people are LEAVING California...where is this so called demand coming from? You don’t need to be a rocket scientist...

But he is cutting spending, right? Isn’t this a good thing?

[yankeedame]

Very insightful post but I think you left out one facet of the entire thing wherein you wrote:

"...the person may be tied to a house they cannot get sold. “Auditors” are too busy and the waiting list is months long. "

And that one thing is bribery.

[socialismisinsidious]

Another good question: is the demand growing b/c the bar was lowered? It's just like government to increase the number who qualify and then scream that more people need help. Here in PA there was a bunch of articles about how more children need access to the state health care program b/c more are signing up....we are suppose to believe that all of those children are poor and have no health insurance. Of course no one mentions that just about anyone qualifies (I know of more than one family who live in a 300-500K houses, spend vacations in Hawaii and yet their children “qualified” for the state health program b/c of a speech or other "delays")...guess what? give stuff away and people will come.

[gubamyster]

ping