Cut in State AIDS Budget Severely Impacts Local Providers

ALBANY, NY (04/08/2008)(readMedia)-- Although the New York State budget has not been officially approved yet, a recently announced base-line cut of over $2 Million in New York’s AIDS Institute budget will likely have severe impact on HIV/AIDS service providers throughout New York State. Locally, the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York and Whitney M. Young, Jr. HIV Health Services will see cuts in critical funding. The AIDS Council and Whitney Young denounce the cuts, the first in New York State AIDS services in 25 years of the epidemic.

The 2% cut affects funding for AIDS service programs that provide comprehensive services to tens of thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS throughout the state. Michele McClave, Executive Director of the AIDS Council, does not know why funding would be cut, especially given New York State’s high HIV infection rate and number of people living with HIV/AIDS. In New York 6 people die from HIV/AIDS every day.

“New York is still the epicenter of the AIDS epidemic and new infections continue to increase daily”, said McClave. “Funding for Community Service Providers and Multiple Service Agencies was not increased for more than a decade under former Governor Pataki. Despite economic forecasts, it is unconscionable for the state to cut funding for people living with HIV/AIDS and those at high risk of infection. The state budget should not be balanced on the backs of society’s most vulnerable members.”

People living with HIV/AIDS are living longer and require more services than ever before. Although the cut only represents 2% of the budget, providers are already struggling with limited resources. Both the AIDS Council and Whitney Young saw increases in the number of client served last year. These two community-based organizations are struggling to meet area needs and both warn that cuts will further erode the safety net for people living with and at risk for HIV infection. In addition, both may see dramatic increases in the number of people in treatment as more testing is made accessible in communities of color.

“Cutting such critical services at a time when more resources must be dedicated to combat HIV/AIDS is not only counterintuitive, but also detrimental to thousands of Capital Region citizens”, said Steve Sawicki, Director of Whitney M. Young, Jr. HIV Health Services. He feels that this unprecedented reduction in vital funding for community-based programs will have the largest impact on HIV services, testing and prevention education in communities of color and the LGBT community.

McClave and Sawicki find the cuts appalling in light of new reports out of the US Centers for Disease Control (CDC) indicating alarming increases in new HIV infections, especially in the nation’s under 25 population. “It is disappointing that Albany leadership is electing to be pennywise at this time of tremendous need” added McClave.

The AIDS Council of Northeastern New York is a HIV/AIDS Community Service Provider providing support to people living with HIV/ AIDS and prevention education in the fifteen county Capital Region with offices in Albany, Glens Falls, Hudson, Plattsburgh, Schenectady and Troy. Whitney M. Young, Jr. Health Services is a Multiple Service Agency providing affordable, accessible, high quality medical, dental and addictions services. For more information, visit www.aidscouncil.org and www.wmyhealth.org.

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