L.A. Formulates a Comprehensive Policy on AIDS

Culminating efforts that began five years ago, the city of Los Angeles on Friday released its first comprehensive AIDS policy, a document designed largely to prevent the spread of the AIDS virus and preserve the dignity of people with the disease.

The 30-page document addresses some of the political, social and legal dilemmas posed by the epidemic but provides no solution to the growing crisis of delivering health care to uninsured individuals with AIDS and the underlying human immunodeficiency virus.

Currently, at facilities operated by the county, which is responsible for providing health care to the poor, individuals must wait up to 21 weeks for an initial appointment.

Mayor Tom Bradley called the new plan “an operating agenda for the city’s battle against the HIV disease and the fear and ignorance accompanying the disease.”

The policy, which must be approved by the City Council, makes official many programs and regulations already in place, such as an anti-discrimination ordinance enacted in 1985.

But it also dictates some new strategies, including distribution of AIDS prevention kits, containing condoms and bleach, to anyone incarcerated by the city upon discharge from custody and expanding AIDS education programs for all city employees.

An estimated 60,000 Los Angeles residents are infected with HIV and another 5,000 have developed AIDS. Three-thousand city residents have died of AIDS.

“This document rounds out and completes the city’s policy,” said Dave Johnson, the city’s AIDS coordinator. “It makes it permanent and official.”

Under the new policy, all city employees will be taught how to avoid contracting the virus. The policy also defines the city’s role in prevention and caring for people with AIDS.

In a significant bow to gay and minority groups, the document specifies that the planning and implementing of AIDS services should be carried out by groups representing communities most affected by the epidemic, with resources provided by the government.

“These policies have never, ever been formally stated,” said Mario Solis-Marich, director of public policy at AIDS Project Los Angeles. “This sets down the basic guidelines for what type of community-based (AIDS) organizations the city will fund.”

One of the most important elements of the plan is the expanded attempt to provide AIDS education and early treatment to minority groups and people incarcerated by the city.

According to the policy, all people in city custody must receive written information on HIV prevention, testing, services, early medical intervention and treatment. And, upon discharge from custody, individuals will receive the same type of AIDS prevention kits--which include condoms and bleach for sterilizing needles--that the city now distributes under its AIDS education programs.

Los Angeles County supervisors have repeatedly refused proposals to fund the distribution of bleach for AIDS prevention, saying they fear it would send the wrong message that drug use can be safe.

“The primary responsibility for health care still lies with the county,” said Gilberto Gerald, executive director of Minority AIDS Project. “And I don’t think we should relent in holding the Board of Supervisors from addressing this.”

But, said Gerald: “I like the city’s statement and policy attitude toward the incarcerated community. I think the fact that the city is squarely on the record to provide education and material, including condoms (upon release), to this community is an important forward-looking policy.”

NEW L.A. AIDS POLICY Declaring that AIDS is a “natural disaster and global emergency,” the new AIDS policy unveiled by the city of Los Angeles on Friday:

Specifies that the planning and implementation of AIDS services should be handled by community groups, with resources provided by the government.

Provides AIDS education materials and access to treatment to people in city custody and requires that those individuals, upon release, receive AIDS prevention kits including bleach and condoms.

Requires extensive AIDS training for all city employees, including safer sex and AIDS treatment information.

Outlines a legislative agenda including a demand for increased spending on AIDS at all levels of government.

Gives employees the right not to disclose their medical condition.