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GMHC Statement on the New York State 2007–2008 Budget
New York, NY — Gay Men's Health Crisis is pleased with the first
state budget of the new Spitzer Administration. The budget finalized by Governor Spitzer
and the State Legislature calls for an increase in HIV/AIDS funding throughout the state. While
the final dollar amounts do not fully address the budget recommendations developed by GMHC and
our community partners, the new budget signals a promising shift in the State's health care
funding priorities, with new money to assist people living with HIV and AIDS.
The new budget will mean greater money for core care services — such as case
management, hot meals, nutrition advisement, harm reduction and substance use
counseling — that directly benefit people living with AIDS and HIV. In addition,
the budget recognizes the increased need for legal services for some of New York's
most medically vulnerable residents. This funding will bridge some of the gaps created
by federal restrictions for landlord-tenant advocacy, immigrant legal rights, family
domestic unity law, private disability insurance and benefits counseling for people
living with HIV/AIDS.
"For too long New York has not done enough to combat the AIDS epidemic," said
Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., GMHC's Chief Executive Officer. "GMHC is pleased with
the new direction this budget takes and we credit the Governor, Assembly Speaker
Sheldon Silver, and Assembly Health Committee Chair Richard Gottfried for securing
this much-needed funding for New York's HIV/AIDS community."
GMHC is particularly encouraged by the renewal of the state's Expanded
Syringe Access Program (ESAP), which was originally due to expire in September
of this year. ESAP is by far the most successful HIV prevention program the
State has ever seen. Since the program's inception, the rate of HIV infection
attributed to injection drug use has dropped approximately 75 percent.
"We are encouraged that ESAP will carry on for four more years," said
Robert E. Bank, Esq., Chief Operating Officer at GMHC. "We know that clean
needles save lives without increasing injection drug use. Syringe access is
a clear example of the effectiveness of strong science-based HIV prevention
strategies. We hope our leaders in Washington will wake up and follow Albany's
lead and provide funding for these vital programs."
GMHC applauds the Legislature for increasing the Governor's budget even
further for the NYS Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, and Transgender Health and Human
Services Network. This money will go to protect the health of LGBT New Yorkers,
who have long been underserved in our State's health care system.
* * *
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.
© 2007 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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