Governor "Terminator" Kills AIDS Program

In a "Heartless Act" Governor Schwarzenegger Dismantles California`s Lifesaving
HIV/AIDS Prevention, Testing, Housing and Treatment Services

Deadly Cuts Will Cripple HIV Testing & Prevention Efforts, Endanger Public
Health and Cost California Taxpayers Infinitely More in the Future
LOS ANGELES--(Business Wire)--
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the US` largest AIDS organization as well as
the operator of California`s largest alternative HIV testing program, today
condemned Governor Schwarzenegger`s gutting of California`s lifesaving HIV/AIDS
programs as he approves a budget plan that includes millions of dollars worth of
cuts to the state`s HIV/AIDS education, prevention, counseling & testing,
housing and treatment services.

Today`s cuts to HIV/AIDS programs include: an 80% reduction in funding for
Education & Prevention, a 70% cut in HIV Counseling and Testing, a 50% cut for
Early Intervention (that provides primary medical care), a 100% cut in
Therapeutic Monitoring Program (the program that monitors the effectiveness of
HIV/AIDS drugs administered through the state`s AIDS Drug Assistance Program), a
20% cut in Housing and more than a 50% cut in funding for Home and
Community-Based Care.

"With a single stroke of his blue pencil, Governor Schwarzenegger has terminated
the state`s AIDS programs and, along with it, the lives of some of the state`s
most vulnerable citizens," said Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare
Foundation. "The Governor`s heartless act is not only deadly, but guaranteed to
cost California taxpayers millions more in the future. With HIV testing programs
sidelined and the state`s ability to prevent new infections stymied, new
infections in California will increase-each new infection can mean up to
$600,000 dollars in lifetime health care costs. A 100% cut to the Therapeutic
Monitoring Program is the definition of penny-wise and pound-foolish-with the
ability to monitor the effectiveness of lifesaving AIDS drugs hampered, the
state`s already cash-strapped AIDS Drug Assistance Program will only end up
spending more for drugs."

"Governor Schwarzenegger`s unilateral decision to essentially dismantle the
state`s lifesaving HIV/AIDS programs will cost lives, endanger the public`s
health, and constitutes negligence," said Whitney Engeran-Cordova, Director of
AHF`s Public Health Division. "The state`s ability to identify people living
with HIV is now severely crippled-creating an enormous obstacle to the
prevention of new infections and linking those who need it to treatment. Not
only will the Governor`s callous funding cuts devastate those living with
HIV/AIDS who rely on the services the state provides to stay alive and healthy,
but today`s cuts also pose a serious threat to our shared responsibility to
combat the spread of HIV in California."

Media Availability: ALL DAY, Tuesday, July 28, 2009

* Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation

(202) 547-4000, (323) 810-1238 mobile

* Whitney Engeran-Cordova

Director of AIDS Healthcare Foundation`s Public Health Division
(213) 405-5822 office, (562) 682-1075 mobile

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the US` largest non-profit HIV/AIDS
healthcare provider. AHF currently provides medical care and/or services to more
than 100,000 individuals in 21 countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin
America/Caribbean and the Asia Pacific Region.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Lori Yeghiayan,323-860-5227
Mobile: 323-377-4312
lori.yeghiayan@aidshealth.org

Copyright Business Wire 2009

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