GMHC Warns of Harmful Impact of State Budget on People living with HIV/AIDS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contact:
Krishna Stone | 212.367.1016

New York, New York — GMHC expresses profound concerns about Governor Paterson's fiscal year 2010-2011 executive budget which was released today.  Changes and cuts proposed in the budget are unsustainable, could lead to the scaling back of funding for essential HIV/AIDS services, and will have a devastating impact on the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS and all those affected.  This news is only the latest after multiples rounds of cuts to critical HIV prevention and treatment programs over the past years at the federal, state, and city levels.

According to the New York State Department of Health, there are almost 120,000 New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.  In such a climate it is ill-advised to cut back on funding for core services that are essential both for keeping HIV positive New Yorker healthy and productive, and stemming the tide of new infections.  "Cutting funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention, Medicaid, and workforce development as proposed in this budget is ill advised," Marjorie Hill, Ph.D., Chief Executive Officer at GMHC said. "The number of people living with HIV in New York is on the rise. As a state, we need to plan and think of long term costs," added Hill.

This year's budget reflects a change in how funding is allocated and appear to give more control to the New York State Health Department.  The AIDS Institute, which suffered severe cuts in the 2009-10 budget, once again stands to lose millions in its overall funding.  For the first time in more than two decades, the AIDS institute's core service provider (CSP) funding is not clearly outlined in the budget.  This is troubling because CSP funding supports the core infrastructure and functioning for many HIV service providers in NY State.  Such infrastructure is increasingly difficult to fund and without it, services are seriously jeopardized.

The proposed elimination of HIV Welfare-to-Work funding is also troubling.  In the last fiscal year GMHC saw an almost 30% rise in demand for our Workforce Development program which receives funding from the Office of Temporary and Disability Assistance.  This money is in jeopardy this year, at a time when vulnerable New Yorkers desperately need reliable employment.

Of particular concern for GMHC and its clients are the following budget cuts:

• Cuts in overall AIDS Institute funding
• Non-disclosure of AIDS Institute funding
• Eliminated funding for HIV Welfare-to-Work

"Cutting these services may save a couple of dollars today, but in the long run, short-changing essential prevention and treatment will increase costs as more people become infected and seek medical care.  It is vitally important that we preserve, and in the future, increase funding for core services for people living with HIV/AIDS," added Hill.

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GMHC is the world’s first and leading provider of HIV/AIDS prevention, care and advocacy. Building on decades of dedication and expertise, we understand the reality of HIV/AIDS and empower a healthy life for all.