The recent news that the University of Illinois-Chicago is closing its Special Patient Care Clinic, which provides dental services to people living with HIV/AIDS, is just one more example of how dysfunctional and disconnected with reality our government has become.

The clinic fell victim to a lack of adequate funding, UIC officials said. Administered by the Chicago Department of Public Health, most of its funding has come from Ryan White CARE Act federal funds, which is how most programs for HIV/AIDS services are funded here.

UIC officials say clients of the clinic can continue to access dental services at other Ryan White-funded dental clinics in the city and Cook County, but the truth is that this action will impose one more hardship on people who need more convenient—not less convenient—services.

Why services such as these have to be sacrificed is beyond our comprehension. This is a city that could afford to provide more funding for HIV/AIDS care, but instead relies almost exclusively on whatever funds the federal government decides to send our way.

And why can’t Cook County step in and provide a bit of funding for these services? Surely our county health experts know that poor dental health leads to other health problems, especially for people whose immune systems are already compromised. Eventually those types of health problems show up at Stroger Hospital, further burdening the Cook County health system.

Yes, we know that Cook County leaders are already crying wolf over budget shortfalls, but frankly, we think providing funds for services for people with HIV/AIDS should take priority over inspecting picnic tables in the Forest Preserve and other things the County is still spending money on.

The state could also step in and help save this clinic. But our state government has seen cuts for AIDS programs in recent months, not increases, as Gov. Rod Blagojevich continues his blood feud with fellow members of his Democratic Party. Expecting the governor to sit down with legislative leaders and find a solution to this problem—and numerous other issues—is like expecting to win the lottery. It’s a nice thought, but the odds aren’t very good.

That leaves federal funding, of course, but cuts and changes in Ryan White funding are part of the reason the clinic is closing. The Bush administration, which views science as an ideology-based subject, is hell-bent on basing its AIDS programs on morality judgments and political considerations, not good healthcare practices. Thus, people in the places where AIDS is most prevalent are getting shafted, while more money is sent to areas of the country represented by Republicans.

Maybe we’re naïve, but whatever happened to the idea that our government exists to serve its citizens, solve problems and promote the common good? Instead, at every level these days, it seems dominated by people who think it’s there just to serve those who know how to play the game. Public interest has become an afterthought.

Think about all this as Feb. 5 approaches. That’s the date of the Illinois primary election. While the presidential candidates in that election may get much of the headlines as the date draws closer, there are many other offices up for grabs. In the coming weeks we’ll be profiling some of the candidates in those races, and we’ll be asking them how they plan to change the way government works—or doesn’t work—these days.

Because if ever change was needed, that time is now, as we ponder a government that can’t even maintain a dental clinic for some of its most vulnerable citizens. Whose needs are our leaders meeting, when that’s the kind of results we get?