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Illinois
General Assembly Overtime Session Yields Increases in HIV/AIDS Funding
SPRINGFIELD,
IL - Eight weeks after the deadline to set the fiscal year 2005 budget,
the Illinois legislature passed and Governor Blagojevich approved a $43
billion state budget, which includes an additional $4.25 million in funding
for critical HIV prevention and care services. These funds are desperately
needed to protect the health of people living with and at risk for HIV,
and will ensure that vital programs continue.
"By increasing
funding for HIV/AIDS services, Illinois' leaders have reaffirmed their
commitment to the fight against AIDS." said AFC's Executive Director Mark
Ishaug. "The increases are a tremendous victory for the AIDS community
in a budget year when many health and social service programs received
funding cuts."
The $4.25
million increase represents a combined $3.1 million for the AIDS Drug
Assistance Program (ADAP) and $1.15 million for HIV prevention programs
in communities of color. With these increases, Illinois' ADAP will be
able to serve the growing number of uninsured people who need assistance
obtaining HIV/AIDS-related medication and expand the program to include
access to other medically necessary classes of drugs, such as mental health
therapies.
Additionally,
the state will expand and enhance community-based HIV prevention education
programs among populations hardest hit by the epidemic. In 2002, 70% of
reported AIDS cases in Illinois were among people of color.
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