San Francisco's HIV Health Services Planning Committee voted recently to cut its funding 4-7 percent for all but two categories. The only initiatives spared revenue deductions are its dementia program and a decentralized care program. "They are new this year. There was no point starting it up and undermining it. Every other program will receive the same cut," said Jim Mitulski, co-chairperson of the council.

The council's action will help to absorb a $2.2 million reduction in Ryan White CARE funding from the federal government. The city will receive roughly $33.5 million in Ryan White funds for fiscal year 2002, a reduction of 6.2 percent from the previous year. Most of the funding cut stems from a 10.3 percent reduction in supplemental dollars. With program contracts due to be signed this month, the council had to quickly determine how to make the necessary cuts.

The council lacked the time to determine which programs could afford to be hit with larger, targeted, reductions. The cuts will affect more than 10 services, from primary medical care and housing to transportation and food that numerous AIDS agencies provide to people with HIV. "All the stakeholders were there and we forged a compromise we can all live with," Mitulski said of the decision. "I balanced that with feeling anger and dismay toward our federal government that is putting less and less money towards AIDS programs than ever before."

Mitulski said the council must not only reexamine its priorities but also become more vocal in advocating for funding. That will be crucial over the next month as the mayor and supervisors consider a 10 percent cut in funding to the Department of Public Health to cover part of a budget shortfall this year.

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