Help Gov. Quinn Build a Responsible Budget and Protect Services for People Living with HIV

Facing a grim state financial situation, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn Wednesday proposed a fiscal year 2011 state budget that underfunds HIV prevention and care services by nearly $22 million.  The budget plan relies on a mix of cuts to programs, borrowing, and federal funding.  Gov. Quinn also proposed a 1% tax increase to maintain education programs.

Tell state legislators today to adequately fund HIV programs in the fiscal year '11 budget!

“The state budget is broken,” said Mark Ishaug, President/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC).  “We need legislators to show leadership and advance a responsible and balanced solution to the state budget crisis that funds all our priorities, including education, healthcare, human services and more.  The best solution is comprehensive tax reform like HB 174.”

Although no cuts were proposed to key HIV funding lines, vital programs that sustain the lives of people with HIV and prevent new HIV cases did not receive funding increases needed to meet increasing program utilization. Without new funding, individuals will lose access to lifesaving services. 

Essential services at risk include the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides life-saving HIV medications to low-income people with HIV, HIV preventions programs, and housing and support for people with HIV.  The Governor’s request for HIV programs is $22 million short of the $44.06 million needed to avert program cuts that will debilitate people with HIV.

“We pledge to work with the members of the General Assembly to maintain access for HIV medications for people with HIV and bring back HIV programs that were cut last year,” said David Munar, Vice President at AFC. “If the proposed ADAP funding level is enacted, people with HIV will be denied access to medications that allow them to live healthy, productive lives.  While HIV programs fared better than most in the budget proposal, additional funding is needed to meet the growing need for medications.”

The state’s options for cutting ADAP costs will have debilitating consequences for the lives and health of people with HIV.  As many as one-quarter of program clients - 500 -1,000 people living with HIV - would lose access to their medications.

This year, the Illinois Department of Public Health had no choice but to redirect funding from HIV prevention programs and supportive services to ADAP.  Funding for HIV prevention programs was cut by $4 million and supportive services and housing by $3.4 million.

“It costs over $300,000 to provide medical care over the lifetime of a person with HIV, and the government likely bears much of that cost,” continued Ishaug. “HIV prevention investments make financial and moral sense.  In addition, research shows that housing services save health care dollars by reducing preventable hospitalizations and nursing home use.  These programs must be maintained.”

“Our first priority is advocating for $44.06 million this year for HIV programs,” said Munar.  “However, without a balanced and responsible tax increase, Illinois won’t get out of this budget mess and there will be little hope to maintain HIV and other vital programs.”

On a bright note, Gov. Quinn proposed level funding for several key HIV and public health programs, including minority HIV prevention ($3.15 million), HIV and corrections ($1.94 million), local health protection grants ($17.09 million) and supportive housing programs ($21.74 million).

However, other proposed cuts could have a serious impact on the lives of people with HIV and other vulnerable populations.  The Illinois Cares Rx program, which keeps low-income people with HIV off the ADAP program and helps low-income seniors and people with disabilities afford prescription drugs, is at risk.  A $70 million or 50% cut was proposed for Illinois Cares Rx.  Overall, human services programs fared poorly in the budget with a $276 million proposed cut.

The legislature will review the Governor’s proposal in the coming weeks and propose changes.  On March 17, 2010, more than 250 advocates from around the state will gather in Springfield for Rescue 2010 HIV/AIDS Lobby Days in the Capitol rotunda at noon.

MORE INFO:

TAKE ACTION: Send a message to state legislators today: "Adequately fund HIV prevention and care programs in the fiscal year 11 budget!"

Read the sign-on letter to Gov. Quinn asking for adequate funding for HIV programs

Read HB 6173 and SB 3821 and read the fact sheet.

Learn about the Responsible Budget Coalition

Attend Rescue 2010 HIV/AIDS Lobby Days March 16-17, 2010