Illinois Gov. Pat Quinn has proposed a fiscal year 2011 budget that underfunds HIV care and prevention services by $22 million, according to a statement from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago ( AFC ) .
"The state budget is broken," said Mark Ishaug, the foundation's president/CEO. "We need legislators to show leadership and advance a responsible and balanced solution to the state budget crisis that funds all our priorities, including education, healthcare, human services and more. The best solution is comprehensive tax reform like [ House Bill ] 174."
AFC added that services at risk include the AIDS Drug Assistance Program ( ADAP ) , which provides medication to low-income people with HIV; HIV-prevention programs; and housing and support for people with HIV. Quinn's request for HIV programs is only about 50 percent of the $44.06 million needed.
On a positive note, AFC said, Quinn proposed level funding for programs such as minority-HIV prevention ( $3.15 million ) , and HIV and corrections ( $1.94 million ) .
AFC is urging citizens to contact state legislators about funding, asking them to visit www.capwiz.com/aidschicago/issues/alert/?alertid=14792821&type=TA.
In other AFC-related news, the foundation has debuted Dose of Change, a new online tool aimed at offering technical assistance and capacity building for AIDS advocates across the country, according to a press release. The forum urges advocates to exchange information regarding the advancement of HIV/AIDS public policy.
The blog is accessible at aidsconnect.net/dose. AFC Vice President David Ernesto Munar said, "It's really a one-stop shop for anyone interested in honing their craft and becoming a more impactful advocate."