Pelosi Secures $1.5 Million for San Francisco HIV/AIDS Services and Protects City from Future Cuts

November 22, 2004

San Francisco - House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi announced that she secured $1.5 million for the San Francisco Department of Public Health to enhance HIV/AIDS care and related services in the fiscal year 2005 omnibus spending bill passed last week by the House of Representatives.

"This funding is critical to providing essential services to people living with HIV/AIDS or at risk of HIV infection, especially for women and people of color," Pelosi said.

The funds will provide treatments for people living with HIV/AIDS; outpatient care at facilities such as Ward 86 at San Francisco General Hospital, the Castro-Mission and Southeast Health Centers; and HIV care and prevention services including outreach, counseling and testing, linkage to care, and support. 

Pelosi also worked with Congressman David Obey, the senior Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee, to include a provision that directs the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to revise the process that has resulted in drastic cuts and major fluctuations in the Ryan White Care Act funding for San Francisco and other major metropolitan areas.  These metropolitan areas rely on this funding to provide health services to people living with HIV/AIDS.

“This provision will protect vital health services for people living with HIV/AIDS in the San Francisco Bay Area and across the country,” Pelosi said.  “The fight is not over - we must continue working to increase funding for Ryan White HIV/AIDS services.”

The provision impacting Ryan White Care Act funding follows:

“The Committee is aware that, for a number of eligible metropolitan areas, the amount   of their supplemental grant under title I of the Ryan White CARE Act has fluctuated markedly from year to year, thereby disrupting ongoing programs and services.  Accordingly, the Committee directs HRSA [Health Resources Services Administration] to review the processes it uses to evaluate applications and award supplemental grants and to take appropriate steps to reduce such fluctuations and disruptions.”

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