February 27, 2008

The Hon. Arnold Schwarzenegger
State Capitol Building
Sacramento, CA 95814

Dear Governor Schwarzenegger:

On behalf of all Californians living with HIV/AIDS, I urge you to withdraw your proposed cuts to essential HIV/AIDS programs!

The proposed $11 million reduction to programs such as the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), the Therapeutic Monitoring Program (TMP), HIV education and prevention, and counseling and testing will only serve to destabilize the fragile network of care and treatment for people living with HIV, and hinder the state's efforts to prevent new infections. The cuts would be especially devastating to the state's most vulnerable populations, including low-income people of color, who are most at risk and make up the majority of recent HIV/AIDS cases.

ADAP is especially important to the well-being of Californians with HIV/AIDS. The current proposal to cut ADAP costs by eliminating entire drug classes will result in the loss of vital drugs used to treat AIDS-related illnesses. Any truly successful HIV treatment program that keeps HIV-positive individuals healthy while on antiretrovirals must adhere to a coordinated and comprehensive drug and medical services regimen.  

TMP is another vital component of HIV/AIDS treatment, providing resistance and viral load testing for Californians living with HIV/AIDS, and is especially vital to the success of the ADAP program. TMP allows ADAP to be cost-effective by ensuring that the HIV medications provided have maximum benefit. Los Angeles and other counties have maximized TMP use in recent years. In the face of a growing and more complex epidemic, full funding for the program must be ensured.

Other programs, such as counseling and testing, and HIV education & prevention, are essential tools in fighting HIV. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), HIV prevention efforts can reduce risk behaviors and increase protective behaviors among African American and Latino communities, where HIV infection rates continue to be disproportionately high. Cuts to these programs will inevitably impact these communities the most.

By keeping people with HIV/AIDS healthy today, California helps reduce future costs in health care. Please withdraw the $11 million in proposed cuts to HIV programs and help California in the fight against AIDS!

 

Sincerely,