Edelman’s Try to Release AIDS Money Is Blocked

Two conservative members of the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors this week blocked a proposal to reduce the long waiting period AIDS patients face at County-USC Medical Center.

Supervisor Ed Edelman had proposed that the 22-week waiting period be cut by immediately spending $500,000 that was set aside to staff a new AIDS outpatient clinic at the hospital next spring. But supervisors Pete Schabarum and Mike Antonovich opposed the motion, arguing that by using the funds now the county would not have the money to hire the staff needed at the new clinic.

Edelman, a liberal who has consistently urged his conservative counterparts to increase AIDS funding, maintained that “the need is now.” But Antonovich and Schabarum told Edelman he was counting on federal and state funds that may not be forthcoming.