FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Press Contact: Kayla Blado 240-489-1803,
kayla.blado@hailstonecommunications.com
May 15, 2026
Union of 250,000 care workers urge Governor Newsom to fully fund IHSS to protect seniors and people with disabilities
Sacramento, Cal. — Yesterday, Governor Newsom released his “May Revision” of California’s 2026-27 budget, proposing once again to cut vital services to seniors, and adults and children with disabilities including the In-Home Supportive Services (IHSS) program. United Domestic Workers (UDW) Executive Director Doug Moore issued the following statement in response to the Governor’s budget:
“Governor Newsom’s proposed budget includes unacceptable cuts to IHSS and other essential programs that serve low income Californians. A society is judged by how it cares for its most vulnerable, and stripping services away from our elders and people with disabilities is not the California way.
“While President Trump’s H.B. 1 puts all states in a financial crisis, we don’t believe that the world’s fourth-largest economy, and state full of millionaires and billionaires, needs to find revenue by reducing life-saving services to low-income seniors and adults living with disabilities, and those who care for them. Earlier this week, the Trump administration also announced it will withhold $1.3 billion in Medicaid funding to California. While this cheap political stunt creates more pressure on the state budget, there are no savings to be had in the IHSS program. You cannot squeeze blood from a stone. UDW will continue to protect and defend its members who provide vital care services for our communities.”
“As a mother and an IHSS provider, this program is a lifeline to my family. My son needs around-the-clock care and outside care is not an option for our family. The IHSS program allows me to keep my son safely at home with the care he needs. Corporations skate by without paying their fair share in taxes, and when the budget needs to be balanced, Governor Newsom looks to our state’s most vulnerable citizens,” said Astrid Zuniga, an IHSS provider and UDW president. “Any cuts to IHSS threaten the security of hundreds of thousands of IHSS recipients in California. These cuts are life or death for many families.”
UDW represents more than 204,000 IHSS providers in California, and helps serve over 900,000 IHSS recipients across the state. Together, IHSS is essential for over 1.5 million Californians who provide and receive these services. The median IHSS worker is paid just $18.50 per hour and the average recipient receives about 118 hours per month of paid care—although many providers must provide unpaid care to clients who require 24/7 care. IHSS providers are responsible for dressing, bathing, grooming, and medical accompaniment, among other vital tasks.
On Monday, May 11th, state legislators along with IHSS providers and recipients held a press conference at the state capitol urging Governor Newsom to fully fund IHSS in order to save lives of the most vulnerable Californians.
###
UDW represents more than 250,000 dedicated home care and family child care providers across California. Their members are the backbone of care for seniors, children, people with disabilities, and working families—fighting for fair wages, better working conditions, and policies that strengthen our communities.