As the weather gets warmer, let’s take a look back at AHF’s history to the harrowing summer of 1992.
Governor Pete Wilson, California’s then governor, almost closed down the Chris Brownlie Hospice and the Hollywood Center Hospices with government cuts.
AHF joined the fight against the budget cuts before funding for hospice care was ever under threat. Forming the Coalition To End the Budget Outrage, AHF responded to proposed cuts to state-funded health care for those in need. Together with the Tarzana Treatment Center, All Saints AIDS Service Center, and members of ACT UP/LA, AHF presented Governor Wilson with a “Heart of Stone.”
When the Wilson Administration named hospice care as one of the Medi-Cal cuts, AHF heightened focus to call out local Wilson supporters in press events to condemn the cuts. Human billboards were used to increase public pressure, yet Wilson still ended Medi-Cal’s stop-gap “voucher” payments. AHF was faced with 60% revenue cuts; however, it managed to prevent layoffs.
With the future uncertain, AHF continued to support the Democratic block that fought to keep hospice care off of the budget cut list. By placing hundreds of phone calls, writing countless letters, making personal visits, and working with Senator Art Torres and lobbyist David Nagler, hospice care was finally taken off the cutting board on September 2nd, 1992. This was just in time for the opening of AHF’s second hospice, the Carl Bean House.
With signature resilience, AHF stayed strong and reminded politicians that dignified care is a right, not an option.
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