October 1, 2009

V.L., by & through his guardian ad litem Nancy Lagahid, et al. v. John A. Wagner, Director of the California Department of Social Services, et al.

The lawsuit was filed by Disability Rights California, Disability Rights Legal Center, National Senior Citizens Law Center, the National Health Law Program and San Diego attorney Charles Wolfinger on behalf of four low-income Californians who need In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) to remain safely at home. The lawsuit alleges that the state's IHSS cutbacks will violate the federal constitutional due process protections, the Medicaid Act, and the Americans with Disabilities Act. When cuts take effect November 1, 2009, 40,000 people across the state will lose IHSS completely; another 97,000 will receive fewer services. IHSS provides help with cooking, food shopping, cleaning, and assistance to medical appointments.