California: Mayor, Supervisors Seek AIDS Funds

San Francisco officials are hoping to use city funds to backfill federal cuts to local Ryan White care and treatment services. And at the state level, advocates are concerned about changes Gov. Jerry Brown is proposing for California's AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).

San Francisco was awarded $25 million for HIV care and treatment services covering the period of March 2012-February 2013, but $5 million was cut by Congress in its most recent budget bill. If approved, the $1.8 million in city supplemental funds would replace the reduced funds only through the fiscal year ending June 30.

Mayor Ed Lee called the Ryan White shortfall "a very serious challenge," and he lauded US House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi's (D-Calif.) support for the program in Congress over the years. "It's our turn to step up when Congress has not been able to meet that task," he said.

The resolution will not be voted on for about a month, said Supervisor Scott Wiener, whose district includes the heavily gay Castro neighborhood. Others supporting the resolution at a press conference included Supervisor David Campos and newly appointed Supervisor Christina Olague. Weiner, who is a member of the board's budget committee, said backfilling the cut "is going to be my top priority."

In the proposed 2012-13 state budget released on Jan. 5, Gov. Brown suggests saving $14.5 million by increasing ADAP clients' cost-sharing "to the maximum percentage allowable under state law." The summary predicts some savings from people leaving the program "because their cost-sharing obligation will exceed their private insurance out-of-pocket costs." Average monthly co-pays could range from $28 to $358, depending on income. Final budget approval is months away.

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