Pasadena Health Dept. Needs More Time, Money to Transition HIV/AIDS Clinic to New Provider

Pasadena’s Department of Public Health is asking for more time – and money – to effect the transition of its HIV/AIDS clinic services to a private health services provider.

Instead of shutting down the clinic on September 30th and handing operations over to JWCH Institute Inc. as planned, the department will continue to operate the facility until the end of November.

“Given the complexities involved and requisite Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors approval of the delegation of existing contracts held by the City to JWCH, it may not be possible to complete the transition by September 30, 2015,” Steve Mermell, Assistant City Manager and Acting Public Health Director, wrote in an Agenda Report Monday.

“To ensure a smooth transition for the hundreds of clients currently being served by the City’s Andrew Escajeda Clinic, staff is requesting additional budgetary authority to enable the Clinic to operate up to November 30, 2015,” Mermell said.

JWCH Institute Inc. is a Los Angeles-based non-profit health services provider contracted by the Public Health Department to operate the Andrew Escajeda Comprehensive Care Services clinic at 1845 N Fair Oaks Avenue which provides HIV/AIDS care.

The City Council voted Monday night to approve the extension, which would cost an additional $357,372, to include a net increase of 2.08 Full-Time Equivalents. The Public Health Department said this will be offset by expected revenues of $282,028, for a net cost of $75,344.

Earlier this year, the City Council decided to cut HIV/AIDS services and prenatal clinics from the department’s budget in an attempt to get rid of a $2 million deficit. The decision left some 100 HIV patients frequenting the clinic uncertain about their future care.

The Public Health Department said the transition of prenatal services – to Pasadena-based CHAPCare – is on track and expected to be completed by the end of December.

Transitioning the HIV/AIDS programs, however, is a more complex endeavor, and the department is working with JWCH to address the requirements of the transition.

For the HIV/AIDS patients in the Pasadena area, this means services will continue to be provided at 1845 N Fair Oaks, at least until November 30th.

For information about services at the HIV/AIDS clinic, visit www.cityofpasadena.net/publichealth/AECCS or call (626) 744-6140.