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Hospital officials at Cedars-Sinai
Medical Center in West Hollywood, Calif., have confirmed “some cutbacks” to the
Infectious Diseases Division (IDD), which were originally announced internally
in December 2012. These cuts will include HIV specialists Dr. Paula Gaut and
Dr. David Hardy, who is also IDD’s director. Dr. Yoko Miyasak, an infectious
disease researcher and HIV specialist, also will lose her hospital position
unless she receives grant funding. Hardy warned that, while HIV/AIDS patients
will continue to receive medical attention at the hospital, they will not have
the expertise of “full-time, credentialed HIV specialists.” Patients also will
not get the benefit of the hospital’s coordinated HIV care and research
program.
Dr. Zab Mosenifar, executive vice
chairman of Cedars-Sinai’s Department of Medicine, which includes the IDD, and
Sally Stewart, the media relations manager, accused Hardy of spreading
erroneous information. Their public statements disagree with Hardy’s on the
number of positions that will be eliminated. Mosenifar emphasized that IDD is
not closing. So far, no one has told patients where they should go for care, as
HIV/AIDS patients usually see a doctor every three months. Hardy said he has
been informing patients of the cutbacks as he wants them to be prepared, and he
is encouraging them to get their medical records. According to Mosenifar, IDD’s
fellowship training program will remain with Dr. Phillip Zakowski, a private
practitioner and volunteer teacher who will assume Hardy’s responsibilities as
part-time coordinator of the fellowship program.
One year ago, when the hospital
closed its psychiatric division due to budget cuts, patients scrambled to find
care and local mental health providers became overwhelmed. Jimmy Palmieri, West
Hollywood human services commissioner, is worried that the situation will be
repeated with HIV/AIDS providers. Palmieri is concerned about the patients and
where they will find an immunologist for treatment. Since West Hollywood does
not contract for services with Cedars-Sinai, the hospital was not required to
notify the city of the cutbacks in its IDD. However, West Hollywood contracts
with other organizations whose budgets may be affected if many of Cedars’
patients turn to them. Cedars-Sinai is required to offer a “community benefit
program” under California law (SB 697) in exchange for nonprofit status. The
hospital states on its Web site that one of the benefits it offers is “need.”
In light of this statement, Hardy criticized the decision to reduce HIV/AIDS
services, as West Hollywood is highly impacted by HIV/AIDS.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
