Email Print   Text Size
HIV and AIDS Patients Protest Budget Cuts

Posted:

Updated:

Fresno - As Governor Schwarzenegger continues to propose sweeping cuts to the state's budget, those whose lives will be changed by the cuts, continue to protest.

Monday, HIV and AIDS patients, and their supporters, rallied in downtown Fresno.

"We're very blessed, without these services I just don't know where we're going to be at in the next 25 years," said Theresa Camarillo who has lived with HIV for 23 years, her daughter for 13 years... thanks in part to programs that help her pay for her medications.

"The meds that we take are very costly...with budget cuts, how are we going to pay for those meds that sustain our lives?" asked Camarillo.

The Governor is proposing $80 million in cuts to statewide HIV/AIDS services, which could cut to financial assistance to patients and eliminate free HIV testing.

Protestors say that could lead to the further spread of the virus, and even death.

"If people aren't going to be able to get tested, they're not going to know their status, they'll be coming into the emergency room with an AIDS diagnosis, rather than getting treatment early on," said James Nicacio, one of the protest organizers.

The governor has also proposed eliminating the state's health and welfare program and cutting wages of home care workers.

Monday, the governor signed an executive order, directing state agencies under his control to stop paying contracts signed since March 1st.

Goods and services already delivered will be paid for and contracts considered necessary for public safety will continue.

California faces a $24.3 billion deficit.

Fresno protestors will take their message to the state capitol, where they will join a larger rally on Wednesday.

Local News  more>> 
Deadly Car Crash in Sanger
A passenger is dead, while four people are in the hospital Monday night, after a car crash in Sanger.

It happened on Goodfellow Avenue and Channel Road.

World Ag Expo Set to Kick Off Tuesday
Hundreds of thousands of people are expected to hit the South Valley Tuesday for the 43rd annual World Ag Expo in Tulare.
Fresno City Professor Accused Of Teaching Anti-Gay Bias
A professor at Fresno City Colleges is facing some strong allegations. The ACLU is accusing Dr. Bradley Lopez of teaching "highly discriminatory and religious-based views" in his science class.
Fresno Mayor To Announce New City Manager
Fresno Mayor Ashley Swearengin will announce the newest member of her team on Tuesday. The Mayor will hold a press conference at City Hall to announce the new City Manager.
Downtown Fresno Post Office and School District Building Evacuated
The Fresno Unified School District Headquarters and Post Office was evacuated Monday morning, after employees complained of a strange smell which was making them sick.
All content © Copyright 2000 - 2010 WorldNow and KMPH. All Rights Reserved.
For more information on this site, please read our Privacy Policy and Terms of Service.