Letter: Home care assistance program works
In a recent interview, Gov. Kathy Hochul called the Consumer Directed Personal Assistance Program a racket. She claims that it is one of the most abused programs in the history of New York and is rife with fraud.
Statistics show that the managed long-term care plans that pass on Medicaid dollars commit more fraud than any personal assistant. The program has grown because the model works for the consumers who use the program, in my case traditional agencies are not allowed to do some of the care that I require (i.e., catheter changes, wound care) or even drive me to appointments, grocery shopping or social activities.
By directing my own care I get a much better quality of care than I would through a traditional agency. A recent article points out that family caregivers were going unpaid because they have to stay at home to take care of their loved ones. This program allows them to get paid. It’s not just family caregivers. I hire other wonderful individuals who keep me out of the nursing home, which would cost state taxpayers exponentially more.