| 2004 NYS Legislative Agenda
Health, Equality, Pride.
Priority: To ensure adequate funding to
fight the HIV/AIDS Epidemic
 In
difficult and uncertain times, it becomes more important than ever
to preserve our vital service delivery structure. GMHC urges full
restorations and baselining of funding in the FY 2003 – 2004
budget, including the additional restorations from the Assembly.
$8.4 million in total appropriated by the legislature last
year was excluded from the Governor's Executive Budget proposal
and must be restored.
GMHC remains committed to addressing rising needs, and
is advocating for new funding for community based service providers.
Funding for HIV/AIDS services has not kept pace with the growing
epidemic. With the exception of his first year in office, the
Governor has proposed cutting enhanced funding for HIV/AIDS programs
every single year. The HIV/AIDS epidemic has not been static
in New York since the Governor has taken office. The number of people
living with HIV/AIDS is the highest it has been throughout
the epidemic, a fact reflected in the growing caseloads of service
providers throughout the state. While we understand budget difficulties
in trying economic times, AIDS funding has suffered for far too
long. The full needs of the HIV/AIDS community must be met
this year in order to stand any chance of catching up with the rising
need.
Providers of HIV/AIDS services are still reeling from recent
economic downturns, a decline in philanthropic giving, and cutbacks
in federal and local funding. In fact, New York suffered
an unprecedented loss of $14.8 million dollars in Federal
Ryan White CARE Act funding, the major provider of HIV/AIDS resources
to New York City. These factors only compound our current
state funding deficiencies, which are sure to have a long-term negative
impact on the delivery of HIV/AIDS services if new dollars are not
appropriated immediately.
 |
Community Service Providers (CSPs) and Multiple Service Agencies
(MSAs) have been providing high quality valuable services to communities
most at risk since their inception. Over the past four years, funding
to providers has been declining even as they have been facing increasing
needs and providing more services. As services have had
to expand to meet rising needs, so should the resources that support
these vital programs, GMHC urges the allocation of new funding,
$2 million for CSPs and $2 million for MSA/CDIs.
 |
 |
New York must focus on the service delivery foundation;
Community Service Providers have proven effectiveness in service
delivery and provide a wide range of support services. Community
Service Providers (CSPs) like GMHC have been on the frontlines since
the beginning of the epidemic, providing a continuum of
HIV/AIDS services. At GMHC, we continue to see a significant monthly
increase in demand for services — as much as 50% more than
in the year 2000. The number of GMHC clients is up nearly 10% just
since 2002.
GMHC will continue to press for an investment in the prevention
of HIV transmission and urges the state to step up to the plate
and allocate $3.5 million in new funding for Primary Prevention
Programming, as well as $1 million in new funding
for harm reduction to reduce the numbers of new drug related HIV
cases.
GMHC will continue advocating for legislation
that improves the health of inmates in New York. We support (A.4204-Gottfried/S.1840-Mendez)
authorizing the State Department of Health to perform yearly audits
of the health care provided in correctional facilities, and urge
allocation of $1 million in new funding to assist in this
effort. GMHC will also continue to support affordable housing
programs; especially HIV/AIDS related housing.
Next
> >
< < Contents
© 2004 Gay Men's Health Crisis
|
home 
