Today, hundreds of AIDS advocates from across the state rallied on the steps of the State Capitol to send a message to the Schwarzenegger Administration that capping enrollment of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is an unacceptable solution to the State's budget crisis. Calling the proposal life-threatening for thousands of low-income individuals with HIV and AIDS, advocates vowed to fight for Californians who could not afford life-saving HIV medications without continued access to this program. Advocates also noted that if ADAP benefits are reduced, more people will get sick and require costly acute care and hospitalization, ultimately costing the State more money than it saves. The rally is sponsored by the Alliance of California AIDS Advocates, AIDS Healthcare Foundation and over 30 other organizations from throughout the state.

ADAP provides HIV medications to approximately 24,000 low-income Californians, most of whom are severely economically disadvantaged. Without ADAP, HIV medications--which can cost between $10,000 and $15,000 per year--would be out of reach for thousands of vulnerable Californians. In FY 2004-05, ADAP needs $25 million in additional funds to meet the demands of increased enrollment, the use of additional drugs by ADAP enrollees, and growing drug prices. Governor Schwarzenegger did not include any increase in funding for ADAP in his budget proposal; instead, he proposed to permanently cap enrollment in the program at its current level of 23,900 individuals.

"Capping enrollment is an inhumane solution to a life and death problem," said Dana Van Gorder, Director of State Affairs for the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "For the State to decide that some people will receive drugs to help them survive HIV and others will not is indefensible. While we fully recognize the fiscal crisis facing California, the Governor should not balance the budget on the backs of California's most vulnerable citizens. We are eager to work with him and the Legislature to find a better solution."

"People with life-threatening diseases do not have the luxury of time to wait for vital treatments," said Phil Curtis, interim government affairs director for AIDS Project Los Angeles. "It boils down to this - pay now to keep thousands of Californians alive and healthy, or pay more later for costly end-of-life care."

If the ADAP program is funded as is proposed in the Governor's budget, it will result in HIV medications being denied to over 1,400 people in FY 2004-05 and reduced benefits for existing enrollees. This list will continue to grow each year if the program is not adequately funded. "To deny people life-saving treatments and make them languish on a waiting list is unconscionable for a civil society," said Anne Donnelly, policy director of Project Inform. "California can and must do better."

"Denying California's most vulnerable citizens HIV treatments sends the wrong message and is poor public policy," said Darrel Cummings, chief operating officer at the Los Angeles Gay & Lesbian Center. "We ask the Governor and the Legislature to work together with us so that no person needing treatment is denied the hope of a healthy and productive life. Together we can create a solid fiscal plan that supports hope, health and life."

After the rally AIDS advocates delivered hundreds of empty pill bottles with messages inside from current ADAP clients about the importance of funding the program and how ADAP affects their daily lives. One client writes: "Governor Schwarzenegger, please don't cut ADAP. My pills keep me alive. I could never afford these pills on my own and would surely die without this program."