July 30, 2009

Advocates: Budget Cuts Will Increase HIV in California

AIDS advocates fear that severe cutbacks to California’s HIV/AIDS funds will increase HIV rates in the state’s hard hit regions, according to the Bay Area Reporter. Earlier this week, in an attempt to manage the state’s $24 billion deficit, California Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger used his line-item veto power to cut $52 million in HIV/AIDS funding from his revised budget; coupled with cuts to the state’s Office of AIDS, this would eliminate as much as $85 million for HIV/AIDS funding.

“My worry is if this doesn’t get remedied, we are going to see a substantial increase in new HIV infections in San Francisco, particularly if they are cutting prevention activities and testing,” said Mark Cloutier, CEO of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, which expects to lose $800,000 in funding from the state. “I am optimistic this is not the final story on this, but we need to mobilize the community to support the efforts to restore the money.”

When asked if Schwarzenegger’s cuts will lead to an increase in new HIV infections in the state, Michelle Roland, director of the state’s AIDS office, said she is “concerned about that possibility.” She added, “One of my focuses is going to be looking for grant opportunities and making sure that we have adequate staffing to apply for grants.”

Search: Arnold Schwarzenegger, San Francisco, San Francisco AIDS Foundation, Office of AIDS, budget cuts

Scroll down to comment on this story.

Previous Comments:

Jerry, ST Petersburg, 2009-08-07 19:38:38
He evidently doesn't understand aids and early effects that could stop long time agony of this dissease

larrtd, phoenix, 2009-08-06 14:29:56
I want the top most leaders, and Arnold is one of them, to step forth and tell us what they know is really going to happen. And here is what I am sure Obama told them, last month in his meeting, the new federal insurance program will cover all HIV drugs, you can not be denied, all previous conditions must be accetpted, as also, the law will stipulate this for ALL us medical plans, and this is just a "less than one year" movement to the new insurance, about 90.00 a month. stop scaring us.

miguel Ayala, Kissimmee Florida, 2009-08-06 12:42:42
I used to live in the San Diego Area and when the Aids foundation was there it really helped me and I truly believe that if the funds are taking away there will be more Hiv infections and more people getting sick or will not be albe to get their meds, for instance the ADAP Program is very vital to Us that are Hiv+/Aids not to mention all the other programs that will be hurt if the funds are not there.I live in Florida and things are rough here so imagine how it will be without the funds ???