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GMHC ALARMED BY STATE BUDGET CUTS
Albany, NY — Upon taking office, one of Governor Paterson's first moves was to direct state agencies to cut 2% from their program budgets. Fevered attempts by GMHC and a variety of advocacy groups to exclude critical Department of Health AIDS Institute programs from these cuts were ultimately unsuccessful.
In the past week, more than 40 HIV/AIDS service organizations, anti-poverty groups, and health and human service organizations signed onto a letter urging the Governor and the leadership of the State Legislature to protect direct client services within the AIDS Institute budget.
GMHC is concerned about the ramifications this budget will have for future years.
"We are afraid that we could be fighting for a shrinking pot of money year after year and what we really need is new resources to fight the spread of HIV and care for those living with HIV and AIDS," said Marjorie J. Hill, PhD, Chief Executive Officer of GMHC.
HIV infection is on the rise, particularly in communities of color, among women, and young gay men. The trends in HIV infection rates do not justify any cuts out of key AIDS Institute programs.
GMHC applauds the State Assembly and Governor for continued funding for an important workforce development program for people with HIV, despite the fact that it was subject to the same 2% cut. We further applaud the State Senate for adding $575,000 into the budget for HIV/AIDS prevention and testing. Expanding HIV testing is one of the main tenets of GMHC's policy agenda. Testing is a proven prevention tool and we are happy that the State is beginning to tackle the issue head on and provide funding for testing services.
GMHC is relieved that funding for legal services was restored at last year's levels. The budget also contains numerous Medicaid reforms that will benefit the vast majority of our clients. GMHC remains pleased with some of the small gains reflected in the budget, however is disappointed with the overall across-the-board cuts.
Dr. Hill continued, "Ultimately, any cuts in the state budget are disappointing, particularly this year given the higher rates of infection as recently reported by the CDC. Plus, 2008 is the first full year that New Yorkers will experience the cuts from the federal Ryan White program. The State should have taken a step forward, rather than this misstep backward."
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease, help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence, and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual dignity of all gay men and lesbians. We provide services and programs to over 15,000 men, women and families that are living with or affected by HIV/AIDS in New York City. For more information, please visit www.gmhc.org.
© 2008 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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