HIV/AIDS Advocates Gather In San Francisco To Protest State Funding Cuts

Hundreds of HIV/AIDS activists gathered at San Francisco's Civic Center on Wednesday to protest state budget cuts to HIV/AIDS programs made by Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger (R) last week through line-item veto, the San Francisco Appeal reports (8/5). "People living with HIV and AIDS are concerned reductions in services and health care options will be detrimental to their well-being and are looking to elected leaders to reverse the governor's cuts," according to the Bay Area Reporter. San Francisco AIDS Foundation CEO Mark Cloutier addressed the crowd and said, "We have fought for 25 years to build up the San Francisco model of care. He is tearing that system apart," adding, "We are outraged. We know there are going to be more infections." According to the article, "The state's Office of AIDS is expected to soon release a breakdown of how much individual programs and cities will see their funding drop. The San Francisco AIDS Foundation has estimated it could lose $800,000 in state money" (Bajko, 8/6).