Call- to- Action from the Los Angeles County Commission on HIV:

Starting today, the State Legislature is poised to vote on, and possibly approve, the budget deal that the Governor, Assembly and Senate leadership have agreed on. The budget deal is expected to include the Legislative Conference Committee’s budget recommendations. While those budget recommendations included cuts to the State Office of AIDS (OA), and would curtail some HIV/AIDS service delivery around the State, some cuts were expected given an economic climate that demands budget reductions in every corner of state and local government.

However, the fight is not over. There are still significant steps left in this process to ensure that HIV/AIDS services are preserved at even these reduced levels. Even if the Legislature approves the budget deal today, the Governor still has the option of vetoing specific budget line items (using his ”blue pencil”) when he signs the budget package. Once the Governor has vetoed budget line items and signed the bill, there may be no opportunity to rectify the Governor’s actions.

There are very strong indications that the Governor intends to “blue pencil” HIV/AIDS services back to his original proposal, reducing the Office of AIDS budget by $80+ millions.

Attached is the State Budget Cuts Brief #2 to remind you what these cuts entail — the cuts will disable or end programs like Therapeutic Monitoring Program (TMP), HIV surveillance, Early Intervention Programs (EIPs), HIV counseling and testing, home and community-based care, and other prevention efforts.

We cannot take any chances that the Governor may take action to further reduce funding, and must remain vigilant until we can ensure that the minimum level of HIV/AIDS services proposed by the Conference Committee and included in the Legislature’s budget deal is preserved.

The time to act . . . again . . . is now. Call or contact the Governor’s office (TEL 916.445.2841; FAX 916.558.3160; EML http://gov.ca.gov/interact) and tell him that he must preserve the funding left for HIV/AIDS services in the Legislature’s approved budget package, and that he shouldn’t veto any additional funds to the State Office of AIDS.

If we don’t do it now, it may be too late.

DOWNLOAD FACT SHEET HERE

July 24, 2009 in CFHC Public Policy Alert | Permalink

June 04, 2009

Action Needed: Call Budget Conference Committee!

Public Policy Alert: 4-June-2009

From: Yvette Jorgensen, Public Policy Director at CFHC
 
As of the end of May, the fiscal year 2008-2009 state budget has a $24.3 billion shortfall.  The Governor and State Legislators attempted to fill some of this gap through Propositions 1A-1F on the May 19th Special Election ballot.  When California voters rejected all the propositions except 1F, the Governor and the California Department of Finance began to propose additional program cuts to fill the gap. 

Continue reading "Action Needed: Call Budget Conference Committee!"

June 4, 2009 in CFHC Public Policy Alert | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

September 16, 2008

Please Submit your Comments on DHHS Provider Conscience Regulations!!

Public Policy Alert: 16-September-2008

On August 26, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officially proposed “Provider Conscience Regulations” with respect to the provision of medical services which could radically broaden the scope of existing laws.

These revisions would provide individuals and institutions a means whereby they can refuse to provide basic information, counseling and referral services related to family planning. The new regulations would hit hardest low-income and uninsured women and men who depend on access to family planning services through publicly supported programs.

Continue reading "Please Submit your Comments on DHHS Provider Conscience Regulations!!"

September 16, 2008 in CFHC Public Policy Alert | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

September 15, 2008

Proposition 4 Informational Hearing

Public Policy Alert: 15-September-2008

On Tuesday, September 16th at 1:30 pm in room 4202 of the State Capitol, the Assembly and Senate Health Committees will hold a joint informational hearing on Proposition 4 (Parental Notification). The Assembly is taking the lead on this hearing with Assemblymember Mervyn M. Dymally from the 52nd District presiding.

If you are able to attend the meeting, please come and help us pack the room with opposition to this dangerous initiative.  In addition, we are hoping to get as many pro-choice legislators as possible to attend the meeting.  If you have a relationship with any pro-choice member on the health committee, either senate or assembly, please contact them and let them know how important it is that they attend the hearing.

Also, CFHC will be hosting phone banking in our Los Angeles office to spread the No on Prop 4 message.  Watch for more information on dates and times in upcoming policy alerts. 

For more information on the campaign, visit the No on 4 website at http://www.noonprop4.org.

September 15, 2008 in CFHC Public Policy Alert | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

June 30, 2008

Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 2010

Public Policy Alert: 30-June-2008

A CFHC co-sponsored bill, AB 2010 (DeSaulnier), has made it out of the California Legislature and is currently awaiting a decision by Governor Schwarzenegger. 

AB 2010 clarifies that current provisional licensure law does not apply to affiliate clinics, allowing the affiliate clinic licensure process to be implemented in accord with the intent of SB 937, a 2003 bill that was signed into law in an effort to streamline the costly clinic licensure process. 

Continue reading "Ask Governor Schwarzenegger to sign AB 2010"

June 30, 2008 in CFHC Public Policy Alert | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

May 30, 2008

It’s Official: A Third Parental Notification Initiative

Public Policy Alert: 30-May-2008

The office of California’s Secretary of State has confirmed that the latest parental notification initiative has qualified for the November 2008 ballot.

Continue reading "It’s Official: A Third Parental Notification Initiative"

May 30, 2008 in CFHC Public Policy Alert | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

September 18, 2007

CFHC Needs Your Help! Urge the Governor to Sign AB 629, SB 94 and AB 1328!

Public Policy Alert: 17-September-2007

COMPREHENSIVE SEX ED
INCREASED PROVIDER RATES
IMMEDIATE AIM ENROLLMENT

Last week, the California legislature wrapped up its current legislative session.  Before they adjourned, several important bills were passed that are now on the Governor’s desk awaiting his signature – or veto - by October 21.

Now is the time to take action to ensure that the Governor signs these important pieces of legislation into law.  We need your help!

Continue reading "CFHC Needs Your Help! Urge the Governor to Sign AB 629, SB 94 and AB 1328!"

September 18, 2007 in CFHC Public Policy Alert | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

August 01, 2007

Medi-Cal Payments Frozen Until CA Budget Agreement is Reached

Public Policy Alert: 1-August-2007

URGE YOUR STATE SENATOR TO FINALIZE THE BUDGET SO OUR CLINICS CONTINUE TO RECEIVE FUNDING!

CFHC feels it imperative to let you know what fiscal impact the current budget stalemate may have on your clinic and community.

Continue reading "Medi-Cal Payments Frozen Until CA Budget Agreement is Reached"

August 1, 2007 in CFHC Public Policy Alert , Health Care , Medical Access , Public Policy | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

July 19, 2007

Pence Amendment Threatens Access to Family Planning Services – Action Needed Today!

Public Policy Alert: 19-July-2007

Today, Representative Mike Pence (R- IN) plans to offer an amendment that would deny Title X funding to Planned Parenthood clinics.  This would be an amendment to the House Labor/HHS Appropriations bill that also gives Title X a historic $28 million increase.

Continue reading "Pence Amendment Threatens Access to Family Planning Services – Action Needed Today!"

July 19, 2007 in Abortion , Cancer , CFHC Public Policy Alert , Condoms , Contraception , Contraceptive Injections , Contraceptives , Diagnostic & Pregnancy Tests , Educational , Health Care , HIV/AIDS , Medical Access , Oral Contraceptives , Pharmaceuticals , Public Policy , STD , Teen Pregnancy , Women’s Health | Permalink | TrackBack (0)

June 06, 2007

Support Senate Version on Licensing & Certification Fees!

Public Policy Alert: 5-June-2007

Call Your State Legislator:  Support the Senate Version on Licensing & Certification Fees!

The California Legislature is currently considering the issue of licensing and certification (L&C) fee increases.  As you know, any approved increase will affect all of our clinics in CA –- clinics already strapped by increasing financial obligations. 

Continue reading "Support Senate Version on Licensing & Certification Fees!"

June 6, 2007 in CFHC Public Policy Alert , Legal , News , Public Policy | Permalink | TrackBack (0)