Press room ... 2005 archive

Project Inform Applauds Governor Schwarzenegger for Leadership in the Fight Against HIV/AIDS

January 11, 2005

San Francisco, CA—Project Inform, a national HIV/AIDS treatment information and advocacy organization serving over 20,000 Californians, applauds Governor Schwarzenegger's FY 2005–2006 Budget Proposal for HIV/AIDS-specific programs. The proposal funds the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) at $263.6 million, a $29.4 increase from FY 2004–2005.

"This level of funding will allow ADAP to continue providing essential medications to Californians who couldn't otherwise afford them." said Anne Donnelly, Project Inform's Director of Public Policy. "The Governor's proposal is especially noteworthy since it demonstrates California's renewed commitment to keeping HIV-positive people healthy and productive even as the state faces unrelenting fiscal challenges. It shows he understands that this is not only the right thing to do, but that it also makes economic sense since money invested now in medications to keep people living with HIV/AIDS healthy will ultimately save the state more money down the line in acute health care costs," Donnelly added.

A recent study by the University Wide AIDS Research Program found that not only is ADAP a life saving program, but it is also efficient and well-managed. It is estimated that the program will serve over 30,446 people in FY 2005–2006. Access to care and necessary medications dramatically reduces mortality and morbidity for people with HIV.

The Governor's budget also proposes $12.3 million in general fund savings from redesigning Medi-Cal, California's Medicaid program. Medicaid serves more than 50% of all adults living with AIDS and 90% of children. Proposals to generate savings in Medi-Cal include expanding managed care (including moving more disabled individuals into mandatory managed care), creating a annual limit of $1000.00 per person on dental care provided under Medi-Cal, and instituting monthly premiums for some Medi-Cal beneficiaries of $10.00 per adult and $4.00 per child under 21, with a $27.00 cap for one family. These cost savings proposals and some others in the Medi-Cal redesign package raise questions about possible negative impact on beneficiaries.

The Governor also proposes saving $191 million in general funds by maximizing federal dollars for prenatal services provided through Medi-Cal. This proposal raises additional questions about federal limitations on such funding. Project Inform and its colleagues look forward to working with the Administration and the Legislature through the budget process to address the concerns related to the Governor's Medi-Cal proposal.

 

 

 

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