Despite the recession, the state  reply to HIV - as well as the commitment of sufficient resources to attain comprehensive access to HIV prevention and treatment, fully fund AIDS research and strengthen underlying health systems - cannot be put in a holding pattern while waiting for the economy to spark.  Given the economic woes across the US, budget cuts is not surprising. However, this fact doesn’t lessen the pain of the $85 million budget slash aimed at AIDS programs across California. Hardest hit in the cuts are HIV education and prevention programs, testing and counseling services, home services and early intervention services. The Governor has recognized the difficult decision to cut AIDS programs. The governor’s budget proposal would cut $12 million from the AIDS drug assistance program and eliminate $68 million that funds counseling, testing, prevention and education, epidemiology and housing programs.   The proposed cuts are unusual and will essentially eliminate the Office of AIDS in California. In addition to eliminating state funding, agencies will also not be able to receive federal funding that requires state matching.

California’s most defenseless population has its services on the chopping block again in the latest round of proposed state budget cuts. impoverished families relying on welfare and Medi-Cal, children of low-income families, and individuals suffering from HIV or AIDS were all part of Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger’s May budget revise reductions. The proposal also includes to cut all general fund contributions to up to 220 state parks, which could include the La Purisima Mission and parks along the Gaviota Coast. The governor’s proposed elimination of the CalWorks program is expected to affect 3,500 families in Sta. Barbra County as reported by Kathy Gallagher, the director of the County Social Services Department. The CalWORKs program provides temporary financial help and employment focused services to families with minor children who have income and property below State maximum limits for their family size. Most able-bodied aided parents are also required to participate in the CalWORKs GAIN employment services program. Abiding to the proposed budget cuts would make California the only state and the first world country of civilized nations in the world to not have a catch program for the poor families.  Abating the welfare program, which gives cash aid and services to eligible needy California families, would placing the load directly on the county, making such idea totally wild.

The  proposed reduction of  the state’s general fund contribution to AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and other AIDS services, including counseling, testing and home-based care, would also result to widespread HIV infections and deaths.Each year in California, an estimated 5,000 to 7,000 people become infected. About one in five are unaware that they are infected. California has one of the highest infection rates in the U.S. with more than 100,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, according to the California Department of Public Health Office of AIDS.   The state´s ability to identify people living with AIDS/HIV is now badly maimed—creating an massive barrier to the prevention of new infections and linking those who need it to treatment. Not only will the Governor´s callous funding cuts shatter 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.