The San Francisco AIDS Foundation (SFAF) today praised Governor Schwarzenegger for signing a Fiscal Year 2006-07 budget that fully funds the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), with an increase of $38.5 million. The Foundation also thanked the Governor for approving $10 million General Fund to develop and implement a methamphetamine prevention campaign targeting several risk groups, including gay men and men who have sex with men (MSM), women with children, and youth.

"In the past 3 years, Governor Schwarzenegger and the legislature have distinguished themselves for their great responsiveness to the state's HIV epidemic," said Dana Van Gorder, interim director of public policy and communications of the San Francisco AIDS Foundation. "We particularly want to thank the Governor, Assemblyman John Laird in his role as Assembly Budget Chair, and the Lesbian and Gay Caucus for assuring that the 2006-07 budget addresses major emerging needs of people living with HIV."

ADAP provides HIV medications to more than 31,500 clients, most of whom are severely economically disadvantaged. Without ADAP, HIV medications--which can cost between $10,000 and $20,000 per year--would be out of reach for thousands of low-income Californians. The total cost of California's ADAP program in FY 2006-07 will be $296.4 million. The additional $38.5 million was critically needed by the program because of increased enrollment, the use of additional drugs by current enrollees, and increased drug prices.

AIDS advocates hailed the Governor's decision to approve $10 million General Fund for methamphetamine prevention programs targeting high-risk audiences, including gay men and MSM. "The inclusion of funding to address the connection between HIV and methamphetamine use reflects enormous leadership on the part of the Governor and the Legislature and we applaud their action," said Van Gorder. The abuse of meth has become a major epidemic in California and across the nation. It's estimated that meth use is contributing to half of the state's 5,100 to 6,800 new cases of HIV infections that occur among MSM each year.

Advocates also commended the Governor and Legislature for permitting ADAP to pay the premiums for eligible low-income Californians who might not otherwise be able to afford to take medications as a result of the new Medicare Part D program. It is important not to impose additional costs on this population because of the severe risks associated with treatment interruption, both to the individual and to public health. In addition, the budget expanded the CARE-HIPP program, which pays insurance premiums for people with HIV/AIDS who are otherwise at risk of losing private insurance policies that pay for their prescription drugs. This expansion of CARE-HIPP will save money for the state through cost-savings to ADAP and will help eligible individuals receive a continuum of care.

Finally, the governor approved extending the increase of $5.6 million for HIV/AIDS education and prevention programs. These funds will be passed through the Office of AIDS to 51 counties that had suffered reductions in their prevention funding in recent years.