Care program defended

Re “Fraud infects state in-home care program,” April 13

I was both angry and saddened by The Times’ article. I am an in-home care worker looking after my severely handicapped 21-year-old daughter. She is completely dependent for all her needs. If she were left alone, she would die. She has the mental capacity of a 6-month-old.

I am not alone. I know many other parents taking care of their severely disabled children. I am also not financially destitute -- I am part of the middle class. I pay taxes for the services we receive for our daughter.

A few greedy bad apples have infected this program with fraud. Let’s not go after the disabled, who cannot defend themselves. If you are going to go after anyone, go after the unions. Otherwise, leave In Home Supportive Services and their families alone.

Sandra Kanczuzewski

Fallbrook

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Yes, you can find some examples of fraud in the IHSS program, as well as in every other government program and -- Bernie Madoff being just the latest poster child -- in the private sector.

But that does not make it right for partisan ideologues to spread unproven allegations of “rampant” fraud; to smear thousands of dedicated home-care providers and the elderly, blind and disabled clients they serve; and to weaken a program that saves California taxpayers millions each year.

United Domestic Workers strongly believes that funds for IHSS from the federal, state and county governments should be used honestly and effectively, and that any fraud and abuse should be eliminated from the program.

The current system allows for background checks for all providers. We support that, as well as tougher program standards and reporting requirements, and increased training of providers.

Doug Moore

San Diego

The writer is executive director of the UDW Homecare Providers Union.