California Health Advocates

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California's budget fight just got a partial win for older adults and people with disabilities. 🌟The Governor proposed s...
06/17/2026

California's budget fight just got a partial win for older adults and people with disabilities. 🌟

The Governor proposed slashing the Medi-Cal asset limit to a brutal $2,000/individual, $3,000/couple. California Health Advocates joined 165 organizations pushing back.

The result: The Legislature rejected that proposal — landing instead on $21,000/individual, $31,000/couple, effective July 1, 2027. Still a steep cut from today's $130,000/$195,000 — but a real improvement, with time to keep fighting before it takes effect.

We are grateful that the legislature also rejected:
✅ IHSS cuts
✅ Adult Protective Services cuts
✅ PACE rate cap reduction

Plus they agreed on a new investment in home care through Be Home Soon California. 🏠

The bottom line: This is progress — but not victory. Budget talks are still ongoing till the end of the month, and we need continued advocacy to protect this compromise. 🩵

📄 Read the full update and advocacy letter (link in bio too): https://cahealthadvocates.org/legislature-rejects-many-of-governors-cuts-but-medi-cal-asset-limit-still-faces-major-reduction/

What inspires someone to invest their time, expertise and dedication to help others navigate the complexities of Medicar...
06/16/2026

What inspires someone to invest their time, expertise and dedication to help others navigate the complexities of Medicare? For California SMP volunteer and HICAP counselor Brigette Chiu-Ngu, the answer is simple: she knows firsthand how confusing the system can be — and she has the skills and heart to help.

A pharmacist with decades of experience at Sacramento-area hospitals, Brigette came to the U.S. as a refugee from the Vietnam War and has built a remarkable life of service and community. Her unique background gives her both the technical expertise and empathy to help Medicare beneficiaries navigate everything from billing errors to duplicate coverage — and she's done exactly that, even for her own family members.

Read her full story — including how she saved her brother from collections and helped a friend stop paying $300 a month for coverage he didn't need — in our latest SMP Liaison Spotlight.

Read Brigette's story. Thank you, Brigette! We appreciate you and your years of service!

https://cahealthadvocates.org/smp-liaison-spotlight-meet-brigette-chiu-ngu/

As part of observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), we're spreading the alert on imposter scams and how to avo...
06/15/2026

As part of observing World Elder Abuse Awareness Day (WEAAD), we're spreading the alert on imposter scams and how to avoid them.

Did someone call, text, or email and say you have to pay the government immediately, in a specific way, or you’ll be in trouble? That’s a government imposter. No one from the government will ever demand payment only with gift cards, wire transfers, cryptocurrency, or a payment app. Only a scammer will.

ejcc.acl.gov/imposters

Good news! Advocacy is making a difference! 😃🌟The California Legislature's budget agreement rejects many of the Governor...
06/12/2026

Good news! Advocacy is making a difference! 😃🌟

The California Legislature's budget agreement rejects many of the Governor's proposed cuts that would have harmed older adults and people with disabilities, including cuts to IHSS, Adult Protective Services (APS), and PACE. The agreement also includes investments in home- and community-based services through the Be Home Soon California proposal.

However, the budget still proposes reducing the Medi-Cal asset limit from $130,000 to $21,000 beginning July 1, 2027. While this is an improvement over the Governor's proposed $2,000 limit, it remains a significant step backward for older adults and people with disabilities who rely on Medi-Cal.

The budget is not final. Contact legislative leaders and budget negotiators today to thank them for rejecting harmful cuts and urge them to preserve Medi-Cal access by eliminating the proposed asset limit reduction.

Contact:
--Assembly Speaker Robert Rivas, (916) 319-2029
--Assembly Budget Chair Jesse Gabriel, (916) 319-2046
--Senate Budget Chair John Laird, (916) 651-4017
--Assembly Budget Committee, (916) 319-2099
--Senate Budget & Fiscal Review Committee, (916) 651-4103

You can also contact your CA State Legislature: https://findyourrep.legislature.ca.gov/?utm_source=chatgpt.com

📬 We've got good news! Our June Newsletter is out and it's full of important and helpful updates! Here's a peek at what'...
06/09/2026

📬 We've got good news! Our June Newsletter is out and it's full of important and helpful updates! Here's a peek at what's inside:

💰 2027 Medicare Advantage Rule — More Money for Plans, Fewer Protections for Beneficiaries: CMS finalized its 2027 MA and Part D rule — raising payments to MA plans by $13 billion while rolling back key consumer protections, dropping a proposed provider network SEP, and weakening marketing safeguards. See our article for more details.

🏠 $1.1 Billion Withheld from California's IHSS Program: CMS took the extraordinary step of deferring over a billion dollars in federal funding for California's In-Home Supportive Services program — threatening care for more than 900,000 older adults and people with disabilities. Learn what's really driving IHSS costs — and why these cuts are misguided and harmful.

💊 Is Your Doctor Charging You an Illegal Fee? Has your doctor asked you to pay an annual "administrative fee" on top of your Medicare costs? That fee is most likely illegal — and you don't have to pay it. Find out what to do.

📋 Good News: New Bill Would Give California Power to Hold MA Plans Accountable: The PARTNERS Act of 2026 would give states the authority to enforce existing federal Medicare Advantage rules — a commonsense step toward real accountability. Find out how to support it.

⚠️ CHA Opposes Governor's $1 Billion in Cuts to Older Californians' Care: We joined a broad coalition opposing proposed state budget cuts that would reinstate the $2,000 Medi-Cal asset limit, cut IHSS, reduce care for older immigrants, slash PACE funding, and roll back Adult Protective Services. These cuts would be devastating — and we're fighting back.

📝 Medigap Birthday Rule Under Threat: CHA's Bonnie Burns submitted comments to the NAIC urging regulators to protect the Birthday Rule — a critical consumer protection that allows beneficiaries to switch to lower-cost Medigap plans without medical underwriting.

🚨 Hospice Fraud Update — Real Results: A courageous witness came forward with documentation of an alleged coordinated hospice fraud scheme in LA County — and California SMP acted. All identified hospices are now suspended from Medicare and payments withheld. This is our team in action.

🌟 Meet Brigette Chiu-Ngu — SMP Volunteer Spotlight: A pharmacist, refugee, and Medicare champion, Brigette's story will inspire you. Read how she saved her brother from collections and helped a friend cancel $300/month in unnecessary coverage.

👉 Read the full June newsletter here → [link also in bio] https://mailchi.mp/cahealthadvocates/cms-finalizes-2027-ma-plan-part-d-rule-with-higher-plan-payments-and-fewer-consumer-protections

Thank you so much for participating in Medicare Fraud Prevention Week! Be sure to like and follow the SMP National Res...
06/08/2026

Thank you so much for participating in Medicare Fraud Prevention Week!

Be sure to like and follow the SMP National Resource Center and our California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) page on Facebook to stay up to date on the latest Medicare scams.

What is one thing you learned during Week? Let us know in the comments. 🙂

Request and use a My Health Care Tracker from the SMP and track what happens at appointments to then compare what you ha...
06/05/2026

Request and use a My Health Care Tracker from the SMP and track what happens at appointments to then compare what you have written to what is billed on the Medicare Summary Notices (MSNs) and/or Explanation of Benefits (EOBs).

If you see something concerning, report it to the California Senior Medicare Patrol (SMP) at 1-855-613-7080.

Talk to patients about common health care-related scams like back and knee braces, genetic testing, urinary catheters, a...
06/05/2026

Talk to patients about common health care-related scams like back and knee braces, genetic testing, urinary catheters, and plastic Medicare cards. As a trusted source, you can help them learn about scams and how to protect their medical identity.

Guard your Medicare card. Don’t give your Medicare number to anyone over the phone. Don’t text it. Don’t use it to sign ...
06/04/2026

Guard your Medicare card. Don’t give your Medicare number to anyone over the phone. Don’t text it. Don’t use it to sign up for “free” offers. Saying no is the best defense against scammers.

As a community, how can you help prevent Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse?If you are out in public and overhear someone ...
06/04/2026

As a community, how can you help prevent Medicare fraud, errors, or abuse?

If you are out in public and overhear someone talking about Medicare, don’t be afraid to offer information about SMP and SHIP. These are trusted, unbiased government programs in every state ready to help Medicare beneficiaries, families, and caregivers.

Address

800 Sunrise Avenue, Ste F
Sacramento, CA
95661

Telephone

+19164658104

Website

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