AHF may take over
Whitman-Walker suburban clinic

The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, the largest provider of HIV care in the country, has expressed interest in taking over a suburban Virginia clinic that the Washington, D.C.-based Whitman-Walker Clinic plans to close to help trim $2.5 million from its annual budget, The Washington Blade reports. Whitman-Walker also plans to shut down a clinic in suburban Maryland; both suburban clinics are set to close in September. AHF consultant James Driscoll and Arlington County, Va., official Jay Fisette say that while talks are currently in early stages, both organizations hope a deal can be reached quickly so that HIV patients will experience a seamless transition to new clinic management.

Whitman-Walker in May experienced a severe cash flow problem that prevented the agency from being able to cover its payroll for the first time in its history. Part of the agency's financial problems stemmed from severely late reimbursements for services from the D.C. health department, but clinic officials also say Whitman-Walker tried to do too much with too few resources. Clinic administrators in early June announced $2.5 million in cost-cutting measures, including widespread layoffs at the agency and the eliminating or scaling-back of such services as its food bank, emergency financial assistance, case management, and housing programs. The suburban clinics that will be closed provide care for about 600 HIV patients.