Complementary Health Fund update

Dear Member,

as announced in March, starting on July 1, 2011 the maximum monthly reimbursement per member from the Complementary Health Fund (CHF) will be reduced from its current $55 to $35.

This is necessary because the CHF is funded by the proceeds from the AIDS Walk for LIfe , which has unfortunately failed to generate enough net income to cover the rising costs of the CHF. For many years, POSITIVE LIVING BC has been diverting money from other fund-raising efforts to help cover the costs of the CHF, but these options are now exhausted.

The last two years, members receiving money through the CHF have been asked to participate in the AIDS Walk and help raise more money for the CHF. Very few (much less than 5%) have done so - even though it's now easy to do from anywhere in the province using the online AIDS Walk website.

So, after much lengthy and even painful discussion and with considerable regret, the Board of Directors of POSITIVE LIVING BC decided it must bring CHF pay-outs into line with AIDS Walk net income. The reduction in maximum monthly reimbursements to $35 should accomplish this.

In an attempt to mitigate the adverse effects of this reduction, the Board decided to delay its introduction to July 1, 2011, and give as much notice as possible. POSITIVE LIVING BC continues to try very hard to increase AIDS Walk net income. If we are sufficiently successful in doing so, the CHF monthly maximum will be raised.

This is what has been happening:

* from audited financial statements.

MORE INFORMATION

The CHF provides reimbursement to members for the cost of products and services for HIV/AIDS related symptoms not subsidized by other resources:

• View more information about the CHF