People living with HIV/AIDS who also rely on the state's AIDS Drug Assistant Program ( ADAP ) are especially vulnerable in this climate of economic unrest. That was the subject of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago's ( AFC's ) Service Provider Council's Policy and Advocacy Committee meeting Jan. 14 at the organization's office, 200 W. Jackson.
This year Illinois faces a $12 billion deficit. In an effort to balance the budget, lawmakers are looking for ways to trim spending wherever they can. This means state-funded programs, like ADAP, face sharp budget cuts.
According to John Peller, AFC's director of government relations, "Without additional state funding, hundreds of people with HIV will be cut from the program or put on a waiting list."
Compounding ADAP's funding crisis is the number of people enrolling in the program, which is expected to increase 15 percent in 2010. At a time when Illinois is already projected to spend $18 million on ADAP this year, AFC reports that the program needs an additional $10 million to keep pace with new enrollment, and meet the needs of current clients.
More than 4,000 people will seek ADAP services each month. Yet, it is the human toll behind these numbers that is staggering. Most ADAP recipients have no other options for accessing HIV medications. Without access to these medications on a daily basisif people are, in fact, put on waiting list, or cut from the program due to budget cutsthe results could be fatal.
"ADAP cuts and waitlists interrupt or delay HIV treatment, causing deadly health risks for people with HIV. People rely on these services to survive," said Pellar.
In response to the state's HIV funding crisis, the Illinois House Appropriations-Human Services Committee will hold a hearing Friday, Jan. 22 at the James R. Thompson Center, 100 W. Randolph, at 10 a.m. in Room 16-504. The meeting is open to the public.
For more information on ADAP's Jan. 22 meeting or to learn more about AFC, visit www.AIDSChicago.org .