The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has set up a page that allows visitors to send a message to Governor Schwarzenegger urging the Governor to not diminish funding levels for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Please take a few minutes and add your voice in support of this life-saving program.
Urge Governor Schwarzenegger to fully fund ADAP
The San Francisco AIDS Foundation is insisting on full funding of the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Indications are that Governor Schwarzenegger is preparing to cut ADAP substantially across our state.
ADAP provides access to lifesaving treatment for more than 34,000 Californians–low-income and uninsured individuals who otherwise cannot afford costly medications to maintain their health. Because we are committed to guaranteed access to medical care, including HIV treatment, for every Californian living with HIV and AIDS, support for ADAP is critical.
People on antiretroviral treatment have significantly lower levels of virus in their blood so they are less likely to transmit HIV to others, leading to reduced numbers of new infections. Each new HIV infection averted saves the state an estimated $600,000 in treatment costs over a lifetime.
Last year, our state sustained cuts to HIV/AIDS programs of $85 million, impairing our capacity to prevent, treat and serve the estimated 160,000 Californians living with HIV/AIDS. Future cuts to ADAP will leave some living with HIV without access to lifesaving drugs and undermine our ability to prevent new infections.
Please contact Governor Schwarzenegger and let him know that ADAP must remain in the budget at the funding level required to maintain the health of Californians living with HIV/AIDS.
(emphasis: from the original)
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