2023 June 12 Support letter AB 1313 Aging Case Management

June 12, 2023

The Honorable Marie Alvarado-Gil, Chair
Senate Human Services Committee
1021 O Street, Suite 7240
Sacramento, California 95814

Re:   Support for Assembly Bill 1313 (Ortega, Connolly) – Older Individuals: Case Management

Dear Senator Alvarado-Gil:

The County of Marin requests your support for AB 1313 (Ortega, Connolly), “Older individuals: case management services.”  This bill will create a demonstration program for California Department of Aging (CDA) Supportive Services/Case Management in Alameda, Sonoma and Marin Counties.

The CDA Case Management program supports people with complex issues – connecting them with meaningful assistance and solutions that complement medical care; public and community-based services; and with networks of friends and family. This program serves as an important lifeline for low-income, older adults who are not eligible for Medi-Cal, but are isolated and in need of supportive services.

In Marin County, there are approximately 76,000 older adults (age 60+) comprising 29% of our population (ACS 2017-2021, Table S0102). Some 56% of our older adults who rent state they spend more than 30% of gross income on rent and 35% of those who own spend more than 30% of gross income on monthly housing costs. Approximately 20% of older adults in Marin, or 15,000 residents, fall in the gap between Medi-Cal eligible and being economically secure. Currently in Marin, Health and Human Services has one contract for older adult case management with West Marin Senior Services and funding for this program from the Federal Older Americans Act totals approximately $44,000.

Currently, Case Management services are funded with Federal Title III B Older American Act (OAA) dollars, which has remained flat for the past decade. Providers of case management and visiting programs have been unable to grow capacity to meet the growing population needs despite additional local government assistance. AB 1313, if passed with its associated modest state Budget Request of $3 million annually over three years (for a total of $9 million), would support this needed expansion of services under a pilot program.

AB 1313 would increase the capacity of CDA Case Management programs in the three counties as a pilot program to better serve this gap: older adults who are low income but are not eligible for Medi-Cal, and who need assistance. In addition, it would capture valuable qualitative and quantitative data to measure the impact of case management on resolving unmet social needs and improving health outcomes in low-income older adults, as well as helping CDA and community service providers to assess how this service could benefit older adults in the systems of care organized by the Master Plan for Aging.

AB 1313 would improve the safety net for older Californians, ensuring they have the support they need to navigate the challenges of aging.  For these reasons, the County of Marin respectfully requests your “aye” vote in support.

Thank you for your consideration of this important project to our community.

Respectfully, 

Stephanie Moulton-Peters, President
Marin County Board of Supervisors

Cc: Marin County Board of Supervisors
Senator Mike McGuire
Assemblymember Damon Connolly