For Immediate Release
Media Contact:
Justin Burke -
213.201.1525
jburke@apla.org
AIDS PROJECT LOS ANGELES URGES GOVERNOR TO SIGN AIDS BILLS
Condoms in Prisons and Syringe Exchange Measures
Could Reduce HIV Infections
Los Angeles, Calif., October 9, 2007 – AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA) today called upon Governor Schwarzenegger to sign into law two important bills that will help California prevent new HIV infections by permitting condom distribution in state prisons and allowing local syringe exchange programs to use state HIV prevention funds to buy syringes.
“We commend California lawmakers for passing legislation that will have a substantial impact on the HIV epidemic," said Philip Curtis, APLA’s director of government affairs. "APLA now asks Governor Schwarzenegger to continue his administration’s efforts to stop AIDS in our state by signing two bills that represent especially innovative approaches to reducing HIV infections in our community.”
One of the bills, AB 1334 (Swanson, D-Oakland), would allow nonprofit and health agencies to provide condoms and other sexual barrier devices to inmates in state prisons. Studies have shown that HIV infection rates in California correctional facilities are as much as eight to 10 times higher than in the general population. A new Bureau of Justice report shows that in 2005, 1,249 inmates in California had HIV/AIDS. Each year, the state spends approximately $39 million on medications alone for inmates living with HIV/AIDS.
The second bill, AB 110 (Laird, D-Santa Cruz), would assist local syringe exchange programs by permitting local agencies to use state HIV prevention funds to purchase syringes. An annual report issued by the California Office of AIDS within the state Department of Public Health reveals that the sharing of contaminated syringes and other injection equipment is linked to 20 percent of all AIDS cases reported in the state through 2003. State data suggests that more than 1,500 new syringe-sharing HIV infections occur annually. The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention estimates that providing lifetime care to a person infected with HIV costs between $154,000 and $196,000.
APLA also asks the governor to sign the following bills that will help improve the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS:
• AB 43 (Leno), which would allow persons of the same gender to marry, while establishing that no religious official shall be required to perform any marriage in violation of their religious conviction. APLA recognizes that fostering stable, committed relationships can help reduce HIV/AIDS among men who have sex with men.
• AB 1113 (Brownley), which removes the program’s sunset date, and increases eligibility for the Medi-Cal 250% California Working Disabled Program (CWD). AB 1113 would help ensure continuity of care for disabled people living with HIV/AIDS who return to work.
AIDS Project Los Angeles (APLA), one of the largest non-profit AIDS service organizations in the United States, provides bilingual direct services, prevention education and leadership on HIV/AIDS-related policy and legislation. Founded by four friends in 1982, APLA is a community-based, volunteer-supported organization with local, national and global reach. For more information, visit www.apla.org.
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