Researchers used data from 2009 and found that more than half
of the people paid by Medi-Cal to take care of low-income elderly
and disabled Californians are living in poverty, or close to
it.
They say these workers are likely with In-Home Supportive
Services - doing household chores for fragile people, helping them
stay clean and healthy.
HOFFMAN: "In many cases, they lacked access to basic
necessities."
Geoffrey Hoffman is with the UCLA Center for Health Policy
Research.
He co-authored the report supported by a labor organization
about the Medi-Cal caregivers.
HOFFMAN: "They had higher job turnover, substantially lower
monthly incomes, they were less likely to own their own home, and
they more likely to receive things such as food stamp benefits.
They also had more trouble having enough resources to put food on
the table every month."
Hoffman says these caregivers may be the next generation of
care recipients.
HOFFMAN: "If they struggle today, their health also could
decline, and their use of public programs could skyrocket."
Hoffman also notes the home assistance workers are likely working more than one job to make ends meet.