AIDS TREATMENT NEWS No. 116 - December 7, 1990
John S. James
The public hearing is being held to listen to the needs and priorities that the people of San Francisco feel are the most urgent and important. The Council has asked that speakers present their top priorities and identify what type of services they would suggest to meet those needs. Individuals who cannot attend the hearing are encouraged to send in written comments and suggestions.
The hearing will be December 11, 1990 from 3-6 pm, at the Department of Public Health, 101 Grove Street, room 300. Written comments should be sent as soon as possible to HHSP Council, c/c DPH AIDS Office, 25 Van Ness, 5th Floor, San Francisco, CA 94102.
Comment
The Council wants to hear from individuals about the most important needs and priorities for HIV services, and about existing service gaps. You can help by letting it know about any problem areas where you have first-hand knowledge or experience.
One area that we believe especially needs more funding is benefits counseling -- helping persons with AIDS or HIV obtain public benefits or private insurance to which they are legally entitled. Unfortunately, institutions have an incentive to complicate their forms and procedures to keep from paying money due. There are cases of applications being stalled in the hope that persons with AIDS will die before benefits have to be paid. It can be difficult for persons who are ill to protect themselves, without assistance.
Two organizations, AIDS Benefits Counselors and the San Francisco AIDS Foundation, provide different kinds of benefit assistance. The AIDS Foundation teaches people how to apply; AIDS Benefits Counselors provides one-on-one assistance with applications, and organizes volunteer attorneys when needed for appeals.
Anyone with first-hand knowledge about problems in obtaining benefits should contact the Council at the address above. Which organizations have been most effective in providing assistance? Where could additional funding do most good?
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