San Francisco General Hospital Funding Crisis: Call for Information
We are investigating the ongoing funding problems at San Francisco General Hospital--especially for HIV infection, but for other illnesses also. Please contact us if you have information we should know about.This issue has national implications. A recent study which interviewed almost 3,000 adult HIV patients in the U.S. found that about a third of those who were already in medical care for HIV skipped or postponed care in a six-month period for economic reasons, because they did not have the money or could not take time off work (see Los Angeles Times, December 13, 1999). Probably many more went without medical care entirely, but they were not counted in this study. Eight percent had gone without food, clothing, or housing to pay for HIV care. A retreat on public medical care by San Francisco--an AIDS treatment leader, and one of the most prosperous areas in the country during a huge but uneven economic boom--is an ominous sign for access to medical care everywhere in the country.
The best way to reach us is either aidsnews@aidsnews.org or P.O. Box 411256, San Francisco, CA 94141. Anonymous information is OK if necessary--but in that case, remember that we will have to be able to confirm everything we publish, without being able to contact you for assistance.
