May 27, 2009

New California Budget Slashes $55.5 Million From AIDS Funds

On May 26, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger released his plan to cut $5.5 billion through June 2010 from the state budget to help close its budget gap, which currently stands at $24.3 billion, the San Francisco Chronicle reports. The budget includes cuts to California’s AIDS drug assistance program (ADAP) and other programs overseen by the state Office of AIDS.

According to the article, the proposed budget would reduce the state's Office of AIDS programs by $55.5 million, affecting the 35,000 low-income HIV-positive Californians who receive treatment through ADAP.

“We were expecting cuts, but this is much, much worse than what we were expecting,” said Courtney Mulhern-Pearson, policy and legislative associate for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation.

The proposed cuts come after California voters rejected five of six ballot measures that would alleviate the deficit, including borrowing from Wall Street. Schwarzenegger said the message from voters was that they would rather see the budget balanced through budget cuts as opposed to borrowing or raising taxes.

Search: ADAP, AIDS Drug Assistance Program, California, Arnold Schwarzenegger, Wall Street, Office of AIDS, San Francisco AIDS Foundation

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Previous Comments:

gil telles, el paso tx, 2009-06-26 10:32:12
Perhaps the Drugs companies and their "obscene profits" can "break bread" and supply medications to those patients who have been kicked-off of ADAP. Health care is a RIGHT.

James, Minneapolis, 2009-06-21 16:02:50
This country is UNBELIEVABLE. I am SHOCKED by how BADLY the UNITED STATES GOVERNMENT TREATS GAY MEN. I voted for OBAMA. I expected things to start turning around for the gay community in this nation. I wasn't expecting instant results but I sure as heck wasn't expecting gays to still be getting kicked out of the military and to start dying of AIDS because of lack of care. America really does hate us... which is so sad since many of us work so hard to be good citizens.OBAMA can you hear us?

Vic Russell, San Jose, 2009-06-16 14:12:13
This is as if he simply rounded us up and shot us... Except that would be more merciful. I surly can not come up with the $35K the meds "cost," I've spent 30yrs taking drugs by the clock, so they wouldn't fail; now all that appears to have been for nothing... Good Job Arny, you can wipe out a bunch of queers and drug users with a simple swipe of a pen. I think every one on ADAP should sue the state for breach of implied contract. This is murder, ALL trial results say so….

mike, san francisco, 2009-06-16 11:07:35
Why don't you just take the ADAP receipients and put them in concentration camps to watch them die slow painful deaths. Mr. Govenor...what an incredibly ignorant and stupid idea this is and I'm really surprised that you put it forward. Have you no shame sir? Have you no compassion? Have you no honor? Just put a gun to each of their heads and get it over with quickly. This goes beyond the pale sir...shame, shame, shame on you.

kevin haggerty, oceanside, 2009-06-11 13:39:45
so, are we going to take this crap! Is California tilting towards a white-Christian "gets rid of the fags by taking away their AIDS medications." Hey, there's more of US then THEM. Think about it folks. California needs to learn right now this honest philosophy, "NEVER PISS-OFF A FAG!!!" Think back to the Frankenstein movies! Let's light that torch!!!

ronald bosler, fontana, 2009-06-11 13:21:57
Tell you what Mr. bad-actor-Governor of California. If people start dying because they can't get their AIDS meds then we should drop-off all the dead bodies on the steps of the Capital-Mr. Governor can bury our loved ones till the cows come home.

kenninsf, San Francisco, 2009-06-08 13:14:50
This is so wrong for so many reasons. 1st it is disgusting that he is using the cuts to health, schools, elderly, etc but to do this out of anger and as retaliation for us not voting for his complicated ballot measures is disgusting. This country is funding HIV drugs for many other countries and to not take care of our own is just sick.

Keith Richardson, , 2009-06-03 19:51:36
the governor should propose that all california public workers, INCLUDING state representatives and state senators, will no longer get any medical coverage. why should the unemployed, poor and sick die before the rich and/or employed?

Knla, Los Angeles, 2009-06-02 13:07:14
I am deeply saddened. I guess I should start making sure that the arrangements are ready for my death. I cannot live without ADAP, currently unable to work.

Bandersnatch, Concord,CA, 2009-05-30 16:53:29
C'mon Arnie, I would rather see the early release of prisoners and the llegalization and taxation of pot before you go that far. Why not take it out of law enforcement they never seem to be hurting. Hell , give citizenship to all those millions of immigrants effective now and tax them. Or is this a " let the HIV burden die off " plan in disguise. Also, force drug makers to lower the price. There ARE ways.

Poz4life, East Bay, 2009-05-29 21:13:30
1st off, I certainly hope that people making 50k aren't receiving ADAP. My SSI brings in a little over 15k a year. Plus, I pay almost $200 a month for healthcare coverage. Without ADAP, not only will I be unable to pay for my meds (still $35+ per prescription w/coverage), but my hereditary NHL will definitely be back to finish me off. Cutting ADAP will only end up costing the state & Feds more $$ on healthcare in the long run, as we get sick and slowly die. Just like the 80's!

mvb, Houston, 2009-05-29 07:42:14
2009 Federal Poverty Level is around $11,000 for a single person so if you multiple that by 200% the ADAP Max is around $22,000 in TX and not $30,000 plus every State/Territory has a different level from 100% up to 500%

Dennis, poway, 2009-05-28 21:48:57
I am low income like $13,000 yearly income. I have ADAP and am HIV+. If these funds are elimated, I will not be able to afford my HIV meds or my antidepressant medication for daily use and nightly use. What are folks like myself going to do without the help of ADAP. I am very concerned about this cutback. Will HIV+ folks that are low income die because of costs of medication when ADAP cuts back? What am I going to do in this situation?? Dennis

Dolores, New York, 2009-05-28 20:11:29
How dare the government do this!! Many HIV positive people are hard working,tax paying citizens who cannot afford the medications.

Ronald, San Francisco, 2009-05-28 20:09:59
Loss of ADAP means early termination of my life. It is the only way I can pay for HIV meds.