NOVEMBER 17, 2QOe
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State, County Take Care
Officials make commitment to funding AIDS medication
by Jaymee R. Cuti
espite a sweeping victory for Democrats and progressive can
didates countrywide, legislation that’s critical to funding life
saving medication to people with AIDS still faces instability.
The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources
Emergency Act continues to bring federal dollars to state and
county service providers on a continuing resolution. The act was due for
reauthorization in October 2005.
Prior to adjournment, the U.S. House of Representatives passed
reauthorization, but the bill was snagged in the Senate. Though
Congress reconvened Nov. 13, local health officials are unsure of
whether the act will pass in time to budget for fiscal year 2007, which
begins in March.
Margy Robinson, manager of HIV Care Services for Multnomah
County Health Department, explains why some senators voted against
the act: “The pie has to be split up between more areas, and there is the
belief that many areas like New York that have put in a lot of local fund
ing should not he penalized" with less federal funding.
According to Robinson, the current political arena makes for an un
certain future for the act.
“They have to come back in session, but they may put everything on
hold and wait to make any decisions until the new people elected can be
a part of what’s going on," she says. “There is a possibility that they say we
want to look at this completely differently or extend the present CARE
Act for another year."
The county has experienced a reduction in funding since 2004-
This year, it received $3,401,956 from the federal government, a 1.4
percent reduction from 2005.
“We’ve been seeing decreased funding over the last three years, and
that has had an impact on services,” says Robinson.
Many support services categorized as part of the “continuum of
care” have been scaled down, with an emphasis on basic medical sen
ices with measurable clinical outcomes.
Local activists on behalf of the HIV Advocacy Council of Oregon
and Southwest Washington have urged policymakers at the state level to
commit to funding HIV/AIDS-related medication if federal funding falls
through.
In September, Bruce Goldberg, director of the Oregon Department
of Human Services, sent a letter to the coalition of HIV/AIDS advocates,
pledging to provide medications to people in Oregon living with
HIV/AIDS. He said the department would rebalance program funds to
cover a shortfall in the CAREAssist program in November. CAREAssist
is Oregon’s mostly federally funded AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
“Last biennium, excess rebate funds from the program were used to
solve funding shortfalls elsewhere in the department. At that time a
commitment was made that if the CAREAssist program faced funding
shortfalls, the department would seek funds to solve those shortfalls so
Activists Don Jarvi (top) and Jack Cox have
that services would continue to be provided without interruption,” says
worked to secure money for HIV/AIDS drug
Goldberg. “I remain committed to that plan.’ ’ ©
assistance in light of unstable federal funds.
D
Ithuteng students edit the documentary with producer Kip Kroeger.
6 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Tiffany Center, 1410 S.W. Morrison St.
The program will include a presentation of rhe names of Oregonians and
Southwest Washingtonians lost to the epidemic; choral music by Abundantly
Blessed; the reading of Oregon Gov. Ted Kulongoski’s proclamation by Bruce
Goldberg, ally and head of the Oregon Department of Human Services; and a brief
presentation by Chaplain Rick Freeman titled “In Loving Memory We Gather.”
For more information e-mail tcherry@pacifier.com.
Rhythm Raises Funds
Africa AIDS Response is holding its fifth annual World AIDS Day benefit
concert for Portland’s sister city of Mutare, Zimbabwe.
“Rhythms for Life" begins 7 p.m. Nov. 30 at the Tiffany Center, 1410 S.W.
Morrison St., with a silent auction and music by Chica Marimba. Blues, funk and
R & B with the Lloyd Jones Struggle follows at 8. A preconcert dinner and auc
tion begins at 6.
Concert admission is $15, and dinner admission is $75. For tickets call
503-284-3355.
Attend a Glowstick Vigil
Coco and LeBear present a World AIDS Day vigil 7 p.m. Dec. 1 at Shemanski
Fountain on Southwest Salmon Street and Park Avenue.
Glowsticks are provided. Bring a donation of a nonperishable food item. For
more information visit www.pilxaidsday.org.
Celebrity Auction Commemorates World AIDS Day
Bid 2 Beat AIDS begins Dec. 1, featuring memorabilia from Justin Timberlake,
Will Ferrell, Madonna, Mariah Carey, Prince, Britney Spears, Whoopi Goldberg,
Usher, Jack Black, Keanu Reeves, Joan Rivers, Howard Stern, Jake Gyllenhaal,
Colin Farrell, Jessica Simpson, Metallica and others.
The annual auction of rare and autographed items from stars in music, film,
theater, sports, politics and television benefits LIFEbeat, the Music Industry Fights
Gmtinued on Page 24
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