Funding levels for HIV and other Programs Remain Unknown
CHICAGOIllinois Governor Pat Quinn announced today that state funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program ( ADAP ) , which provides life-saving HIV medications to low-income people with HIV, will be sufficient to "serve approximately 4,500 clients a month — an increase of 400" program recipients. In the last nine months, the program provided HIV/AIDS medications to an average of 4,165 Illinoisans per month and the number of new enrollees continues to climb.
Quinn's budget includes a $17 million funding reduction for the Illinois Department of Public Health ( IDPH ) , which supports critical HIV/AIDS and public health services. No HIV programs were specifically listed for funding reductions.
In May, a state advisory panel recommended that Illinois institute a waiting list for ADAP because program costs are far outstripping available revenue. A waiting list would create unacceptable health risks for low-income people with HIV, including unnecessary hospitalizations, sickness, disability, and even early death.
Governor Quinn stated publicly in both May and June that funding for ADAP is a top priority for his Administration, and ADAP was listed as the top item in the Governor's public health department budget. The administration's budget released today did not specify funding amounts for any programs within public health, saying details would be released by the end of July.
"We thank Governor Quinn for underscoring the importance of sustaining access to lifesaving HIV medications," said Mark Ishaug, President/CEO of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) . "We eagerly await detailed budget information for all HIV programs and services and hope the Administration adequately funds a full spectrum of activities from prevention to housing and ADAP."
The overall state budget picture is extremely dim. The Illinois General Assembly failed to enact a much-needed revenue increase this year, leaving the state with an estimated $11 billion budget
deficit. In addition, the state faces nearly $6 billion in unpaid bills, including payments to HIV service providers, and has no revenue source for the state's $3.5 million pension payment.
"The state budget is unsustainable and a cause of concern," said John Peller, AFC's Director of Government Relations. "The General Assembly must advance a responsible and balanced solution that funds all the state's priorities, including education, healthcare, human services and more. The best solution is comprehensive tax reform like HB 174."
Governor Quinn also announced today a "comprehensive contract reform initiative" within the Department of Public Health. In prior years, the state has taken months to establish HIV-related service contracts, often causing breaks in services that were detrimental to the health and lives of people with HIV and other conditions. Contract delays have also led to staff lay-offs in HIV prevention and other programs as agencies struggle to keep their doors open without contracts to provide services. The much-needed reform process must eliminate these delays while creating a more open, transparent, and accountable process.
For more information about ADAP and the Illinois state budget crisis, visitwww.aidschicago.org/budget.