(SACRAMENTO) -- SEIU criticized the actions of the Conference Committee on the Budget today, which included sharp reductions in the number of hours of assistance that home care clients will receive.

“Seniors and people with disabilities who rely on home care must be protected from cuts that threaten their independence and dignity,” said Dave Regan, SEIU Executive Vice President. “The Conference Committee failed to do that today, but we do not consider this the last word. We know that the public doesn’t want seniors and people with disabilities driven into nursing homes and home care workers pushed into poverty.”

While the Conference Committee rejected the Governor’s near-elimination of the In-Home Supportive Services Program (IHSS), it passed cuts totaling $117 million.

“Today’s vote to reduce home care consumers’ hours marks a sad day for California,” said Pam Hall, Los Angeles County Home Care Provider. ”These hours are a lifeline allowing consumers to live independently, and cutting them is just like letting go of a rescue line.  We can’t let this happen to our seniors, people with disabilities and those who provide them care.”

SEIU has launched a full-scale campaign to fight the cuts in home care and other vital services and support a balanced approach with enough revenue to prevent deep and permanent damage to programs such as home care. In addition to an initial T.V. ad campaign of over $1 million, SEIU is encouraging Californians to weigh in for common sense budget at www.commonsense4ca.org.

“Most of us who provide home care are passionate about the program and the people it serves,” said John Campbell, Sacramento County Home Care Provider. “Unlike the Governor and the legislators, we know the real-life results of cutting hours. We will continue to speak out and take action until this vital program is completely protected.”