May 21, 2009

Will Gov. Schwarzenegger Terminate California’s HIV Programs?

After voters rejected ballot measures that would have helped ease California’s $21 billion deficit May 19, Governor Arnold Schwarzenegger and other state officials are preparing sizeable budget cuts, including $600 million from health and human services, The Washington Post reports. These cuts would affect HIV education, the state’s version of Medicaid, in-home support services and disease prevention programs.

According to the article, Schwarzenegger met with legislators in private meetings May 20 to discuss plans to move forward on the budget. Voters overwhelmingly rejected five of the six ballot measures in this week’s special election, which included a combination of tax increases, loans and earmarks for education. The only measure approved would prevent the governor and legislators from receiving pay raises when the state is running a deficit.

In addition, Schwarzenegger’s proposed budget—released in anticipation of the ballot measure failure—would turn thousands of undocumented immigrant prisoners to federal custody, which would save the state $100 million.

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Previous Comments:

Lyla, Santa Monica, CA, 2009-06-10 02:45:41
It is stupid to cut SSI 1.5 billion and thereby cause the feds to not send the 4.5 billion matching funds. What is wrong here?

Lyla, Santa Monica, CA, 2009-06-10 02:42:18
It is stupid to cut SSI 1.5 billion and thereby causing the feds to stop sending us the matching 4.5 billon. This is insanity.

gil telles, el paso tx, 2009-05-29 15:11:34
To solve both state and national budget short falls is to target big pharma and insurance companies and their inflated drug prices. Renegotiate now all HIV Medications to levels that are seen in both Canada and Great Britian. Natianal health care is the long term answer to the "rape and pillage" of our state and national health care budgets, by uncaring, greedy insurance companies and big pharma. GO OBAMA!

lynn, missouri, 2009-05-28 22:35:12
This scares me to death. If California can do it, all the rest of the states can try too. My spouse and I were both on adap for a year. Our meds currently cost $61,200.00 per year, though I am sure medicaid doesn't pay retail. Before and during ADAP and including what Medicaid won't pay for, our med care cost us our entire life's savings, our retirement, our farm and an inheritance. We havn't anything left and are unable to work. Scary. $615. in SSI won't cut it.

michael williams, Brooklyn, 2009-05-28 21:10:29
I'm not from CA but MY state NY is going through the same thing.Schwarzenegger & Patterson should stop realized the neg impact that these programs especially Adap will have on a large # of their states population if cut.I know here in ny & probably in CA there are lot of other programs other than HIV that can be trimmed (not cut) to help reduce the Budget. like the ones thats partially responability in my states (NY) ongoing Budget crisis.Agencys like MTA. they should be held accountable for?

John, Rome, NY, 2009-05-28 17:48:09
Arnold and STUPID comes to mind remove him now NEW BALLOT VOTE AGAIN!! Budget cuts will happen and have all over the country, but when you cut programs like ADAP in such a harsh way, it will mean more people will require state gov health care because now they are sick, preventative care works wonders, even the most poor countries now know this and doing a great job,how about new infections rising,Ca is one of the largest HIV communities in the US too that can speak loudly if poz organize now!!!!

Ron, San Francisco, 2009-05-28 14:43:37
When I received the newsletter on my inbox I opened it right away 'coz I am one of the many who are supported by ADAP. Though I am not taking meds yet, I am devastated that the program is affected. If necessary meds can't be given to those who need it then there will be worse consequences. Does the gov't want to see the rise of deaths among us? In hospitals just waiting to die 'coz the meds are not available or covered? We pay our taxes every year and we need to suffer more?

Michael Alexander, LA, 2009-05-23 16:46:18
This scares the hell outta me! I had 2 friends die while waiting to get ADAP in Alabama. I fighting to keep my Medi-CAL with the only alternative being ADAP. Wise up, this will cause people to die unnecessarily. It's just wrong. I'm amazed at how passive HIV persons and gay Americans are not "surging" against the right wing destruction. What would Harvey think?

brentton, Cathedral city, 2009-05-23 11:43:22
I am sickened and afraid. What will become of us?

Frankie Ninja, San Francisco, 2009-05-23 11:09:16
This has to be the most short sighted act I have seen in political history! Sure! save the state costs from the budget, and OBLITERATE it when we begin to get sick for OI's that will surely develop, and the contagious ones that will affect the rest of the population, a shortened life span for us and MANDATORY medical care when we become sick enough... WAY TO GO TERMINATOR! YOU ARE NO LONGER GOVERNATOR!