The ended its spring session on May 31, 2011 by approving a state budget that cuts HIV program spending by $1.5 million, or just under 5%. This funding cut, while lower than initially proposed by Governor Pat Quinn , creates significant uncertainty for people living with or at risk of HIV/AIDS.
“We are grateful that the General Assembly restored $2 million in HIV funding,”...
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AFC Urges to Reverse Funding Cut, Identify Revenue
The Illinois Senate on May 3, 2011 released nearly two dozen bills that could make up next year’s state budget. The proposed (IDPH) budget would reduce state funding for HIV programs by 11% or $3.5 million. This funding cut was included in Governor Pat Quinn’s introduced state budget in February. ...
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AFC Urges Governor, General Assembly to Reverse Decision in the Interest of Public Health
On April 15, the Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) announced plans to restrict access to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to new applicants with incomes at or below 300 percent of the federal poverty level ($32,670 for a single individual) beginning in July. The current...
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Improve HIV/AIDS Outcomes in the FY 12 State Budget:
Tie Budgeting for Outcomesto the National HIV/AIDS Strategy,
Overhaul Grantmaking, and Sustain Public Health Programs for Former Inmates with HIV
Testimony presented by John Peller, Director of Government Relations, AIDS Foundation of Chicago
Before the Illinois House Human Services Appropriations Committee,...
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Facing a grim fiscal environment despite the recent state tax increase, Illinois Governor Pat Quinn proposed February 16, 2011 a $26.9 billion state general fund budget for Fiscal Year 2012 that cuts state HIV programs by 11%.
The Governor’s proposal consolidates four separate Illinois Department of Public Health (IDPH) HIV funding accounts into one, and cuts overall state funding by...
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The 2011 Illinois state legislative session started with a whimper on Tues. Feb 8, when the Amtrak train carrying the AIDS Foundation of Chicagos’ crack Springfield lobbyist, John Peller, rolled into town two hours late. Not to fear… six legislators were stuck on the train too, giving Peller extra time to advocate for their support for key HIV issues. Although the House stayed...
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There are two important changes to Illinois ADAP that will benefit people with HIV who get their medications from either private insurance or Medicare. In addition, a third change may make it possible for people on ADAP to afford comprehensive health insurance under the new Illinois Pre-Existing Condition Insurance Plan.
1. More help with co-pays and premiums if...
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Hundreds of individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Chicago will now receive local, high-quality care, thanks to a new grant awarded to the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) by AIDS United. The grant to AFC is one of 10 awards granted to communities across the country by AIDS United to support its Access to Care (A2C) initiative. The awards are all supported by a federal grant to AIDS United from the...
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Illinois 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...
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Sixty-six organizations from around Illinois signed on to a letter urging Governor Quinn to allocate sufficient funding to HIV programs to avert an AIDS Drug Assistance Program waiting list and continue community-based HIV prevention and care programs. The letter also highlights the funding needs of other programs that are critical for the lives and health of people with HIV.
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