"Caregivers Create First Ever Aerial Photo at State Capitol to tell Legislators: Home Care Saves Money & Saves Lives"

SACRAMENTO, Calif., June 8, 2012 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- On Friday, home care providers and the seniors and people with disabilities they care for will deliver to state legislators copies of the first ever mass mobilization aerial photo taken at the Capitol. The photos ensure legislators can't ignore the simple message thousands spelled out with giant banners: Home Care Saves Lives & Saves Money, Get It?

(Photo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120608/DC21810 )

Friday's effort comes on the fifth day of a massive 10-day action in Sacramento, and follows a 1000+ person rally on the South Steps yesterday.  The escalating effort is intended to turn up the heat on legislators and demand they reject destructive cuts to California's home care system and instead pass a better alternative that stabilizes long-term care for an aging population and creates better health outcomes for consumers. 

In addition to reminding legislators that home care is on average five times less expensive than alternative institutional care, home care providers and those they care for have come from all over the state to tell their stories as Californians who would be placed in jeopardy if the Governor's proposed cuts to home care were to be implemented.

"Before legislators go home for the weekend, seniors, people with disabilities and home care providers are here to remind them that we're not going away until they STOP HOME CARE CUTS and PASS A BETTER ALTERNATIVE," said SEIU United Long Term Care Workers caregiver, Rob Robbins. "We won't stand for more pound-foolish cuts when there is a better alternative that will save money and improve the health of those we love."

The Governor's most recent budget proposal would cut $225 million from home care, on top of cuts home care consumers are fighting in court.  These cuts would jeopardize the health and safety of more than 400,000 people who count on home care. 

That's why home care providers have joined Assembly Speaker John Perez (D-Los Angeles) and Senate President pro Tempore Darrell Steinberg (D-Sacramento) to develop an innovative alternative to further cuts that stabilizes long-term care and creates better health outcomes for consumers.

Watch the video: http://bit.ly/LGHAHAerial

For more information: www.letsgethealthyathome.org

To interview a home care provider and consumer about the "Let's Get Healthy at Home" campaign to protect home care, contact: Scott Mann at 323-333-4850.

Contact: Scott Mann 323-333-4850
Michael Cox 916-799-6784
Wendy Carrillo 213-321-7085

SOURCE SEIU United Long Term Care Workers