California: Inland HIV/AIDS Agency May Face Funding Challenges

On Monday, the Inland Empire HIV Planning Council began a three-day summit to determine HIV/AIDS funding priorities for Riverside and San Bernardino counties. The council will have to contend with the fallout from California's ongoing fiscal crisis, including $80 million in proposed cuts to HIV/AIDS programs and elimination of Medi-Cal adult dental services that began July 1.

"Dental care is a big issue," said Joe Acosta, who co-chairs the council. "That's one good example of what we're going to have to deal with. That's why this conference is so important."

After presentations and feedback from clients receiving HIV/AIDS services, the planning council will determine how best to distribute its funding, most of which is from the federal Department of Health and Human Services. The council is responsible for allocating the funds to about a half-dozen agencies that together serve more than 6,800 low-income HIV/AIDS patients.

"We are the safety net," Acosta said. "We provide the core services necessary to maintain medical care for those impacted by HIV." Services include health and dental care, case management, substance abuse treatment, transportation, housing, and food, he said. The agency also directs outreach to test for HIV in underserved populations, such as San Bernardino's black community, he added. "Bottom line -- it's about getting people services."

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