Florida Rally Aims to Avert Cut to AIDS Services Fund

More than 1,000 people are expected at 6 p.m. today in Miami's Bayfront Park at a rally being organized by AIDS patients from more than a dozen South Florida agencies. The rally coincides with the start of the state legislative session, during which lawmakers will decide the fate of funding for support services for AIDS patients.

The rally's goal, say its organizers, is to persuade legislators to vote against a proposed $5 million cut from the Project AIDS Care (PAC Waiver) fund and to restore $5 million already cut from the fund. The 14 agencies belonging to the Agencies for Health Care Administration provide home-delivered meals, pest control, nursing services, care managers, companionship programs, plumbing services and massage therapy to about 6,000 patients, said Irma Weathers, a case manager at the Center of Information and Orientation. "The essence is to keep the client living in the community independently, avoiding hospitals and nursing homes," Weathers said, adding that many AIDS patients who seek the agencies' help cannot always handle simple tasks like cooking and cleaning.

Gov. Jeb Bush's budget plan would eliminate $10 million in funds this year for the Medicaid PAC Waiver program. The Legislature has approved a $5 million cut, which is in place through June. The remaining $5 million reduction for the second part of the year will be decided during the new session.

PAC Waiver programs cost $23 million annually. The federal government funds 57 percent; the state funds 43 percent. Sen. Kendrick Meek (D-Miami), who voted against the initial $5 million cut, said the budget aims to reduce spending classified as nonessential in order to supply enough funds for medication and doctor visits.

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