Urge General Assembly, Governor to Appropriate $4 Million for HIV Testing, Prevention

Take Action: Call your state senator and representative TODAY and leave this message:

“Please include in the FY 2008 budget $2 million for regional HIV prevention and $2 million for HIV testing in medical settings.”

If you don’t know who represents you, visit www.vote-smart.org

Background: The Illinois General Assembly is drawing closer to its scheduled adjournment on May 31, although the outcome of budget negotiations is uncertain. AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) and statewide partners are requesting $4 million in the FY 2008 Illinois Department of Public Health budget. In a sign of strong grassroots support for these measures, AFC has today submitted to the Governor, legislative leaders, and individual legislators over 600 petitions on behalf of service providers, advocates, and other HIV/AIDS community members.

AFC and AIDS advocates request the following in the FY 2008 budget:

$2 million for expanded HIV testing in medical settings to identify the estimated 10,000 Illinoisans unaware of their HIV-positive status. Expanded HIV testing can help these individuals access the voluntary HIV testing, treatment, and support services they need to live longer, healthier lives. A new appropriation of $2 million would help the Illinois Department of Public Health carry out a coordinated campaign to expand the offer of voluntary HIV testing in healthcare settings.

With public health leadership, Illinois can increase the number of state residents who take an HIV test and take control. Illinois officials should:

• Create a grants program to increase the offer of voluntary HIV testing in medical settings
• Help train healthcare workers and facilities about model ways to offer voluntary HIV testing
• Streamline the HIV testing process
• Connect high-risk, HIV-negative individuals to HIV-prevention counseling
• Connect HIV-positive individuals with needed medical care and support services

$2 million for regional HIV prevention services to stop new HIV infections. Illinois has a robust plan for HIV prevention, but the statewide network of prevention services is underfunded. An estimated 1,600 people per year become HIV positive. Funds will be used to distribute condoms and other prevention supplies; promote HIV/AIDS awareness and risk-reduction strategies; provide community-based outreach, prevention education, and voluntary counseling and testing; and expand other interventions aimed at reaching people at highest risk of infection.