A Disastrous and Deadly Situation is Unfolding in Sacramento

Currently, ADAP pays for lifesaving drugs for nearly 24,000 Californians living with HIV and AIDS. If Governor Schwarzenegger's proposed FY 04-05 budget passes, ADAP will be severely compromised.

ADAP is essential to protecting the health of uninsured and underinsured Californians living with HIV and AIDS. However, the governor's budget includes a full $25 million less than is needed to meet the rising cost of this program. Owing to this shortfall, the governor has proposed that ADAP be permanently capped at its current level of 23,900 enrollees.

No matter that the number of people in need of these drugs is rising, no matter that the costs of drugs is rising, the governor is proposing to limit access to these life saving treatments. While some 310 ADAP clients who leave the program each month could be replaced, it is estimated that capping the program would nonetheless result in at least 1,400 people being denied access to these drugs each year.

If you need these drugs to stay alive and you are not already enrolled in the program, too bad. Unless someone leaves the program, you will not get in. The ADAP shortfall could also result in significant decreases in the prescription drug coverage for those already on the program or potential co-pays that would be prohibitively expensive for those who use ADAP.

This is an unprecedented assault on this life or death program.

The governor has made it clear that he expects all Californians, including those with HIV and AIDS, to make sacrifices to address the state's budget deficit. While we understand sacrifice by all will be necessary, we must make it clear that asking those in greatest need--including low income people with life threatening diseases--to sacrifice access to treatments that can save their lives is not an acceptable proposal. Sacrifices demanded in the name of state fiscal prudence should not include decisions that can literally cost someone his or her life.

That is, quite simply, a horrific proposal.

That is why we are calling upon you to assist us in creating a groundswell of support to protect this essential, life-sustaining program. The recent experience of our successful "SAVE ADAP" rally in San Francisco on January 13, 2004 leads us to believe there is well-founded anger and alarm within our community about this issue, as well as an eagerness on the part of many to take constructive action.

We hope you will consider joining us to protest this pending cut at a statewide rally in Sacramento on March 8, 2004 at 10:00 a.m. on the south steps of the State Capitol. For more information, please email policy@sfaf.org or call Dana Van Gorder at 415/487-3080.

Additionally, you can voice your concern by calling the governor's office at 916/445-2841 or writing him at the State Capitol, Sacramento CA 95814 or sending him an e-mail at governor @governor.ca.gov. 

Time is short, and there is much to do. We need your help. We would not ask this of you if we did not believe this to be an issue of critical importance -- quite literally a life or death battle for many in our communities.

I hope you will join us.