FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
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Of interest to editors/authors covering: 
Regional News (Calif./Sacramento); Health and Fitness



ADVOCATES CONTINUE LOCAL WAR ON HIV/AIDS

SACRAMENTO, Calif. - Mar. 27, 2003 /PRnetwire.com/ -- Today it was announced that on Monday, April 7, 2003, HIV/AIDS advocates from around the state will gather in Sacramento for AIDS LOBBY DAY 2003 to educate their representatives on the ADAP Shortfall and Prevention & Education Cuts from a constituency perspective.  

AIDS drugs, over the years, have reduced overall healthcare costs and have reduced mortality rates. 

CHAANGE STRONGLY RECOMMENDS A $10 million increase to ADAP, using state general funds AND NO REDIRECTION OF FUNDS from other HIVAIDS programs. CHAANGE also requests, No Reduction Of The General Fund Appropriation Due To The Recent $10 Million Federal Appropriation.

CHAANGE, the California HIV/AIDS Advocacy Network Grassroots Evolution (formerly CHAC) will March to the Capitol and then visit their legislators for a Constituent Conversation. CHAANGE will host a Luncheon for Constituents and Legislators at the Sacramento Convention Center at 1:00 pm and then head to the Capitol for district appointments.

Governor Davis proposes a 25% cut in Prevention & Education funding in the 2003/2004 fiscal year. This follows a 10% cut made in 2001/2002 for a TOTAL FUNDING CUT OF 35%. "Funding allocations for Prevention continues to be a low priority" said Carla Dillard-Smith, Statewide Co-Coordinator. "Prevention & Education dollars can be used to address the epidemic, with particular emphasis on the communities most impacted by HIV/AIDS", she said. Funding is linked to "positivity" rates instead of "prevention" efforts by percentages in accordance with population.

$1 million spent on HIV prevention can save $2.7 million in treatment costs. Populations most impacted are women, youth, communities of color, the heterosexual community, the transgender community, drug users, and incarcerated populations. We understand and accept the state budget deficit, and ask the Governor not to increase the already proposed 35% cut to Prevention & Education funding.

"For more than 20 years, HIV/AIDS has dramatically impacted individuals, families, and communities across California," said Veronica Washington, CHAANGE/Sacramento member. "I am a member of CHAANGE because we believe the most effective way to influence the political process, on a state-level, is to be a diverse group that includes the voices of individuals and organizations from the many communities and geographic areas affected by HIV/AIDS" she continued.

"Activism is what this country is founded on. Democracy is how we keep the Country's integrity intact" said Bonita Barnes, Statewide Co-Coordinator.  "In the wake of the War, we of CHAANGE (those infected and affected), Stand United on the home front continuing the fight against HIV/AIDS."


Media Contact: 
Bonita F. Barnes 
chaange@aol.com
(916) 752-9893


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[source of news = CHAANGE]


S2P-REG=CA/ Advocates Continue Local War On HIV/Aids (Sacramento)

ref: http://www.send2press.com/2archive/2003/pr_03_0327-chaange.txt
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