2009 California Health and Safety Code - Section 120925-120935 :: Chapter 5. Provision Of Azidothymidine

120925.  The Legislature hereby finds and declares all of the
following:
   (a) The drug azidothymidine (AZT) improves and prolongs the
quality of life for those suffering from acquired immune deficiency
syndrome (AIDS) or AIDS-related conditions, is believed to reduce the
infectiousness of a person infected with human immunodeficiency
virus (HIV), and is the only drug approved by the federal Food and
Drug Administration for treatment of AIDS and AIDS-related
conditions.
   (b) Hundreds of Californians infected with HIV are receiving AZT
due to a subsidy for AZT made available by the federal government for
low-income people.
   (c) The department estimates that it will have sufficient federal
funds to maintain those enrolling in the program prior to October 1,
1988, through April 1989, if it terminates new enrollees beginning
October 1, 1988.
   (d) The department intends to direct counties to cease accepting
new enrollees for the subsidy program beginning October 1, 1988,
because of the exhaustion of these federal funds.
   (e) The federal government has an obligation to continue to
support the subsidy program that it has initiated because of the
horrendous moral consequences of terminating the access of low-income
infected people to the drug.
   (f) The funding cycle for federal programs precludes appropriating
additional funds to maintain this program until June of 1989.

120930.  It is the intent of the Legislature that the State of
California continue to provide temporary funding for the program to
ensure that those whose health depends on obtaining access to AZT and
who are unable to afford it can receive the drug during this interim
period.

120935.  The department shall continue through June 1989, the AZT
subsidy program established in 1987 with federal funds. The
department shall maintain the eligibility standards used for the
program as of August 1988. The department shall allocate to local
health jurisdictions the funds appropriated to support the subsidy
program. The department may reallocate funds among these local health
jurisdictions as needed to ensure that persons requiring the subsidy
receive it through June 1989.