MAYOR GIULIANI SIGNS LEGISLATION CODIFYING THE DIVISION OF AIDS SERVICES
Remarks by Mayor Rudolph W. Giuliani at Public Hearing on Local Laws
The bill that I am signing today codifies benefits and services currently provided by the City through Human Resources Administration's Division of AIDS Services Income Support (DASIS). This legislation will establish a statutory mandate that the services and assistance currently provided by DASIS will continue.
Since its creation, the Division of AIDS Services has grown to become an integral component of the City's public health response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic, serving over 19,000 clients, a third of whom are adult females. As the epidemic has grown in magnitude and complexity, so have the problems challenging the City and the Division of AIDS Services. In light of the new challenges facing DASIS, I asked then- Deputy Mayor Fran Reiter to develop a plan to restructure the Division of AIDS Services. A restructuring plan was approved by me in November 1995 and implementation was phased in over 13 months and completed this past January. The restructured DASIS is a more effective agency that is able to respond to the evolving needs of people with HIV illness or AIDS. These developments over the past year and a half have underscored the importance of this Administration's strong commitment to improving services for people with HIV and AIDS.
The notable advancements in the medical treatment of AIDS and HIV infection, coupled with the expansion of services through our wise use of Ryan White and other Federal funds, have enabled people with AIDS to live longer, with an improved quality of life.
This is evidenced in the dramatic 30% decrease in AIDS-related deaths that our Department of Health reported for 1996. While we may be pleased at this progress, we know that the epidemic is not over. We cannot be complacent. We must and will maintain our strong and active commitment to those living with AIDS. People living longer means that the need for services continues to grow.
By the end of this month, New York City will record its 100,000th AIDS case. Currently, over 30,000 people are living with AIDS in our city. Most of the New Yorkers living with AIDS depend upon DASIS for essential benefits and services. An estimated 130,000 New Yorkers are infected with HIV and may need our services in the future. This Administration has and will continue to be aggressive in our efforts to provide effective services for people with AIDS and HIV illness. My signing Intro 606-A into law is the most recent step in these aggressive efforts.
Intro 606-A will mandate the continuation of benefits and services that are currently being provided by DASIS, including intensive case management and transportation and nutrition subsidies. Intensive case management will continue to be provided with an average ratio that shall not exceed one caseworker or supervisor to 25 family cases. The overall average ratio for all cases shall not exceed one caseworker or supervisor to 34 cases. As a result of this legislation, we expect to have at least 60 more caseworkers. Transportation and nutrition subsidies will continue, consistent with what is currently provided to eligible clients.
This legislation will also require a revised policy and procedures manual for DASIS staff and a bill of rights for people living with HIV illness or with AIDS, both of which have already been created by DASIS. This manual will include guidelines on maintaining the confidentiality of the identity and information relating to applicants, instructional materials relating to the medical and psychological needs of persons with clinical/symptomatic HIV illness or with AIDS, and mandated time periods for the provision of services and benefits available.
Over the past few months, this Administration has worked with Peter Vallone and the City Council to improve Intro 606-A. The bill that I am signing is the product of that work. The Administration's goal for this legislation mirrors our overall goal of providing effective, quality services for people living with HIV or AIDS. Having achieved that goal, I am happy to sign Intro 606-A into law.
I will first turn to the bill's sponsors and then to any other elected official wishing to be heard.
There being no one else to be heard, and for the reasons stated previously, I will now sign this bill.
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