The California Association for Health Services at Home Urges Governor Newsom to Fund Private Duty Nursing for California’s Medically Fragile Children

For the last 10 years, funding for private duty nursing (PDN), a critical care service offered through Medi-Cal, has continued to slip through the cracks despite recent investments made in the Medi-Cal program. PDN allows a child with complex medical conditions to live at home, not a hospital, at substantial savings to the state. PDN funding is once again in jeopardy because this level of care has been left out of the state’s budget. Dean Chalios, President & CEO of the California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH), issued a statement today calling on Governor Newsom to not leave California’s medically fragile children behind.

“We are urging Governor Newsom to prioritize PDN and fund this critical care service in the state budget so that we can provide our state’s most vulnerable children the life-sustaining care they both need and deserve. As it stands now, more than 1,000 families are unable to get the care they need at home, which means patients are staying in the hospital unnecessarily and occupying much-needed hospital beds. Not only does this significantly impact the state financially, but it is also not in the best interest of our medically fragile patients and their families.

Not only is funding PDN morally responsible, but fiscally responsible as well. A recent study has found that an investment in PDN services is expected to save California more than $175 million dollars a year by reducing unnecessary hospital days and promoting consistent homecare for these patients. What’s more is that the state will realize savings from this investment in just eight months.

To support California’s medically fragile children, it is imperative for the state to improve Medi-Cal rates for PDN, now and in the future. Only then, can we help contain costs and most importantly promote a better quality of life for these patients and their families. Governor Newsom, we need your help and implore you to restore funding for PDN in this year’s budget.”

The California Association for Health Services at Home (CAHSAH) is a nonprofit association representing California's licensed home health, home care, and hospice providers across the state. Established in 1966, CAHSAH is one of the oldest and largest state home care associations in the nation with a long tradition of service dedicated to promoting quality home care and enhancing the effectiveness of the home care industry.

CAHSAH represents hundreds of provider locations including Medicare Certified and licensed home health agencies, hospices, providers of non-medical personal care service in the home, home infusion pharmacies, and over 100 affiliate members including suppliers of products, computer companies, consulting firms, and insurance providers.

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