Today, Governor Gavin Newsom released his May Revision to the proposed 2023-24 state budget. We recognize that despite the state’s fiscal downturn, the May Revision continues to invest in the Master Plan for Aging and its goal to remedy longstanding inequities in our systems of support for older adults and people with disabilities.  

As we look towards a growing population of older Californians, we sincerely appreciate that the May Revision maintains the important investments made in prior budgets, including: elimination of the asset test in Medi-Cal, expanding Medi-Cal coverage regardless of immigration status, reforming the Medi-Cal share of cost program, and increasing the grant level for SSI/SSP.  

We also appreciate that the May Revision proposes to extend the timeline for the Home and Community Based Services (HCBS) Spending Plan to September 2024, which will allow important programs more time to serve older adults. We also support the additional investment of $50 million for supporting older adult behavioral health.  

While we celebrate that current programs and committed investments are maintained in the May Revise – we must continue to invest in systems of support for the increasing population of older adults in California. Specifically, we must focus on the growing crisis of older adult homelessness. Older adults are the fastest growing population experiencing homelessness in California, and direct investments are needed to prevent and end older adult homelessness. 

We stand ready to partner with the Administration and Legislature to realize our shared vision for a future California where older adults and people with disabilities are supported and valued — where people of all races and financial circumstances can age in dignity.