AFC: Governor's budget proposal hurts HIV services

AFC: Governor's budget proposal hurts HIV services
Copyright by The Windy City Times
2009-03-25
http://www.windycitymediagroup.com/gay/lesbian/news/ARTICLE.php?AID=20747


Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed a state budget plan that reduces some HIV prevention and care spending by 3 percent, according to a press release from AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) . The plan is part of reforms designed to balance the state's budget without eviscerating essential health and human services.
“In these difficult economic times, tens of thousands of HIV-affected Illinoisans need a dependable health and human services safety net to meet their basic needs,” said Mark Ishaug, AFC's president/CEO. “While troubled by HIV funding cuts, we recognize that budgetary reform is urgently needed. We will work closely with Governor Quinn and the General Assembly to find sustainable solutions in order to ensure that essential state services continue for those most vulnerable due to illness, disability, unemployment, and other hardships.”

Gov. Quinn said the state must address a debilitating deficit of nearly $11 billion in fiscal years 2009 and 2010. Without a balance of cost-containment measures and targeted revenue increases, vital state services would need to be eliminated at a time when help is needed the most, he said.

“We recognize that without tax and other revenue increases, reductions to HIV services and other programs for vulnerable citizens would be far greater,” said John Peller, AFC director of government relations. “HIV funding reductions will require even more diligence among state officials to ensure continuity of care and strategic investments in evidence-based interventions that yield the greatest results.”