AEGiS-SC: SAN FRANCISCO'S BUDGET: Health

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2008. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

SAN FRANCISCO'S BUDGET: Health

San Francisco Chronicle - June 3, 2008
Heather Knight

Healthy San Francisco, the city's first-of-its kind attempt to provide universal health care to its residents, would get increased financial support - from a state grant and employer contributions, not from city funding. While Newsom rejected a proposal to wipe out funding for nonmedical care for AIDS patients, he did accept every other cost-saving idea from the public health department. The department will see $48 million in reductions.

Highlights:

-- Healthy San Francisco, now serving 20,000 patients, would receive $11.5 million in additional funding.

-- $14 million in savings would be achieved by cutting funding for community programs by 22 percent apiece. This would affect all types of nonprofits but is expected to hit substance-abuse clinics particularly hard. Advocates say half of the city's medically supported detox beds will be eliminated.

-- Last year, the city covered the federal cuts to AIDS funding with $4 million in emergency money. That money isn't figured into the 2008-09 budget, although emergency money could be found again.

-- The mayor is gambling by including $29 million in the coming budget for the rebuild of San Francisco General Hospital, although voters won't have their say on that bond money until November.

080603
SC080603

Copyright © 2008 - San Francisco Chronicle Press. All rights reserved. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the San Francisco Chronicle, Permissions Desk, 901 Mission Street, San Franciso, CA 94103. You may also send a fax to (415) 495-3843, or an email message to chronperm@sfgate.com. http://www.sfgate.com.

AEGiS is a 501(c)3, not-for-profit, tax-exempt, educational corporation. AEGiS is made possible through unrestricted funding from Broadway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS, Elton John AIDS Foundation, the National Library of Medicine, Pacific Life Foundation and donations from users like you.

Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2008. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.

AEGiS presents published material, reprinted with permission and neither endorses nor opposes any material. All information contained on this website, including information relating to health conditions, products, and treatments, is for informational purposes only. It is often presented in summary or aggregate form. It is not meant to be a substitute for the advice provided by your own physician or other medical professionals. Always discuss treatment options with a doctor who specializes in treating HIV.

Copyright ©1980, 2008. AEGiS. All materials appearing on AEGiS are protected by copyright as a collective work or compilation under U.S. copyright and other laws and are the property of AEGiS, or the party credited as the provider of the content. .