COUNTYWIDE : HIV Group Studies Allocation of Grants

The newly formed Ventura County HIV Care Consortium met Wednesday to discuss the disbursement of $71,000 in federal grants made available for AIDS-related treatment.

One day after the County Board of Supervisors passed a law making it illegal to discriminate against people with the life-threatening disease, a consortium of health-care representatives and patients began working on a plan to assist uninsured and untreated residents who are infected with the AIDS virus.

Under the program, patients can receive money for emergency housing, case management, medication and medical treatment, said Diane Seyl, co-chairwoman of the HIV consortium and AIDS coordinator in the county’s Department of Public Health.

Recent estimates list 2,000 HIV-infected patients in the county, and 227 AIDS patients. About 160 people have died from the disease, she said.

On Tuesday, the supervisors made it illegal to deny housing, employment, education or medical services to residents who have AIDS or other potentially fatal diseases.

The consortium, which will meet every other Thursday beginning Aug. 15, also serves as a support group for patients. Reese Welsh, whose nonprofit organization provides support services for patients, said many residents who are not sympathetic to AIDS issues are often the most vocal in the county.

“AIDS deals with sex and drug issues no one wants to talk about,” said Reese, the executive director of AIDS Care, which coordinates financial aid, transportation and food for patients.

Reese also said that many doctors and dentists have refused to treat patients, and the consortium will establish a base of those who will.

For more information about the consortium, call 656-4862.