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Because California has the highest number of seniors living in poverty of any state in the nation, and has often led the country in crafting innovative progressive policies, our work in California not only impacts millions of lives, but also serves as a laboratory for policy change across the nation. In addition to our extensive work on dual eligible issues, improving the state’s In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program, and our efforts working in coalition to strengthen SSI in California, we also work with state legislators to craft policy. And whenever budget shortfalls lead to calls for cuts to programs senors rely on, we’re there to educate lawmakers about the impact and stop the cuts from happening. We’re also looking toward and helping to build a future where all California seniors can thrive through our participation and leadership on various subcommittees charged with shaping and implementing the state’s Master Plan for Aging.
View the Data Snapshots of Older Adults in California for an overview of older Californians statewide and in select counties and the critical programs that support them.
The 2021-22 budget and legislative session ended with historic and significant investments in the health and well-being of older adults in California, including expansions in Medi-Cal eligibility and the partial reversal of harmful cuts made during the great recession. Below are summaries and resources detailing these changes and resources detailing Justice in Aging’s ongoing advocacy in 2022.
Legislative and Budget Summary: 2023 Legislative Bills and Budget Requests Related to the Master Plan for Aging, March 2023
Summary: California Legislative and Budget Priorities, March 2023
Letter to Legislative Leadership: Justice in Aging’s Response to the Proposed 2023-24 Budget, February 9, 2023
Budget Summary: Justice in Aging’s Analysis of the Final California 2022-23 State Budget, July 7, 2022
Fact Sheet: AB2547 Housing Stabilization to Prevent and End Homelessness Among Older Adults and People with Disabilities, March 2022
Summary: California Legislative and Budget Priorities, March 2022
Legislative Proposal: It's Time to Ditch the Deductible--Visual Fact Sheet about Medi-Cal Share of Cost, February 2022
Legislative Proposal: Make the Medi-Cal Share of Cost Program Affordable, February 7, 2022
Summary: Justice in Aging’s Summary of the Governor’s 2022-23 Proposed Budget, January 28, 2022
Webinar: Upcoming Changes to Medi-Cal Impacting Older Adults and People with Disabilities, December 15, 2021
Letter to Governor Newsom: Reform Medi-Cal Share of Cost in 2022-23 Budget, Nov. 12, 2021
Fact Sheet: Important Health Care Changes Coming in 2022 for Low-Income Older Californians, October 2021
Summary: 2021 Bills Related to the Master Plan for Aging, October 2021
Budget Summary: Justice in Aging's Summary of the Final California 2021-22 Budget, July, 29, 2021
Budget Summary: Justice in Aging’s Response to the May Revision 2021-22 Budget, May 24, 2021
Letter to Governor Newsom on the May Revision: Investments in the Master Plan for Aging, May 2021
Budget Summary: Justice in Aging's Response to the January 2021-22 Budget, January 22, 2021
Visit our Resource Library for resources from prior years.
California is growing older and poorer. The state has the highest rate of senior poverty in the nation and its population of older adults is set to nearly double over the next 20 years. The need for a plan to address the unmet economic security, and health and long-term care needs of the state’s older adults is urgent. In 2019, California’s Governor, Gavin Newsom, signed an executive order calling for a Master Plan for Aging and directed the Health and Human Services Agency to convene a cabinet level working group to advise in the development of the plan.
The Master Plan for Aging was finalized and released in January 2021. Justice in Aging’s Executive Director, Kevin Prindiville, Directing Attorney for Equity Advocacy, Denny Chan, Senior Staff Attorney for Elder Justice, Vivianne Mbaku, and Senior Staff Attorney for Housing, Patti Prunhuber all serve on committees to implement the Master Plan for Aging. Yasmin Peled leads our Master Plan for Aging advocacy for Justice in Aging.
Legislative Summary: 2022 Bills Related to the Master Plan for Aging, October 2022
Recommendations from the California Master Plan for Aging Stakeholder Advisory Committee: Building a Home Care System that Works for all Californians, September 20, 2022
Budget Summary: 2022 Budget Proposals Related to the Master Plan for Aging, updated July 1, 2022
IMPACT Committee Report: Master Plan for Aging's Year 1 Review, April, 2022
Summary: 2022 Legislative Bills Related to the Master Plan for Aging, March 2022
Letter to Governor Newsom: Looking Toward the 2022-23 May Revision, February 2, 2022
Letter to Governor Newsom: Request to Include New Investments in Home Based Care in 2022-23 Budget, November 11, 2021
Proposal: California’s Community CHOICEs for ALL - Making Home and Community-Based Care a Reality, November 11, 2021
Summary: 2021 Bills Related to the Master Plan for Aging, October 2021
Letter to Governor Newsom on the May Revision: Investments in the Master Plan for Aging, May 2021
Budget Summary: 2021 Budget Proposals Related to the Master Plan for Aging, May 2021
Summary: 2021 Legislative Bills Related to the Master Plan for Aging, February 2021
The opportunity to live with dignity, regardless of financial circumstances—free from the worry, harm, and injustice caused by lack of health care, food, or a safe place to sleep. By using the power of law to strengthen the social safety net, and remove the barriers low-income seniors face in trying to access the services they need, we work to ensure the future we all envision for our loved ones and ourselves.
© 2022 JUSTICE IN AGING
