For Immediate Release

Media Contact: Justin Burke - 213.201.1525

EMAIL:jburke@apla.org

ADVOCATES COMMEND GOVERNOR DAVIS AFTER A DIFFICULT YEAR

Los Angeles, October 2, 2002 -- AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) today praised Governor Gray Davis for his support of HIV/AIDS issues throughout a difficult legislative and fiscal year, at the same time criticizing his last minute veto of SB 1785, a bill that would have legalized the sale of syringes without a prescription.

As the legislative year drew to a close September 30, the Governor had maintained current levels of spending on California’s HIV/AIDS programs in his Fiscal Year (FY) 2003 budget, increased funding for the life-saving AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) by some $24 million and signed crucial legislation into law.

“The Governor truly recognizes that this epidemic will continue to grow unless we spend the money now to curb the spread of HIV/AIDS,” said APLA Director of Government Affairs, Daniel C. Montoya. “We were relieved that HIV/AIDS programs were spared budget cuts, in a difficult budget year, but we also understand how other health care cuts will adversely affect all Californians, including people living with HIV/AIDS.”

Montoya also credited the Governor “for working in collaboration with his staff – including his Southern California regional office, the Health Department, Office of AIDS and Department of Managed Care – in integrating the HIV/AIDS community’s opinions and feedback into budget decisions.”

APLA also supported ten measures the Governor signed into law, including a Medi-Cal expansion bill (AB 2197 - Paul Koretz, D-West Hollywood) that will extend Medi-Cal coverage to pre-disabled people living with HIV, help maintain their health, and prevent costly illnesses and hospitalizations; a bill that requires the State Department of Health Services to authorize the establishment of training programs for counselors for publicly funded HIV testing programs (AB 2064 – Gil Cedillo, D-Los Angeles); and a measure (AB 925 – Dion Aroner, D-Berkeley) that removes barriers for disabled individuals who return to work.

However, APLA was particularly disappointed by the Governor’s veto of SB1785 (John Vasconcellos, D-San Jose). The bill would have allowed licensed pharmacies to sell as many as 30 syringes without a prescription to reduce rates of HIV/AIDS and hepatitis C through needle sharing. Gov. Davis said in his veto message that the bill did not provide for one-to-one needle exchange, which could lead to the presence of contaminated needles in public areas.

“We were not surprised by the veto in an election year,” Montoya said, “given the controversy that surrounds drug use. We were encouraged by the language of his veto message and are confident he will be looking at this issue again in the future.”

AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), which this year marks 20 years of prevention, advocacy and service, provides direct services to more than 10,000 men, women and children living with HIV and AIDS in Los Angeles County. Services include prevention education, food banks, professional dental care, housing assistance, mental health counseling, women’s services and case management. APLA is a leader in the provision of bilingual HIV treatment information, in print and on the Internet, and advocates for effective AIDS-related policies and legislation on the local, state and federal level. For more information, please visit www.apla.org.

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