Long-time AIDS advocate State Rep. Sara Feigenholtz (D-Chicago) convened on January 22, 2010 an Illinois House panel on the state’s HIV funding crisis. The AIDS Foundation of Chicago and Illinois Public Health Association coordinated testimony.
If additional state funding is not identified next fiscal year, advocates told the panel, hundreds of low-income people with HIV may be denied HIV medications through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) services or face a waiting list, hastening disability or death.
In addition, HIV prevention providers from around the state spoke out about the impact of recent HIV prevention funding cuts. AFC estimates that a minimum $18 million state appropriations increase will be needed in FY11 to restore HIV prevention and care funding redirected to ADAP and meet the medication assistance needs of new ADAP enrollees.”
ADAP Funding Testimony and Resources
Illinois ADAP Fact Sheet
Illinois ADAP background
AIDS Foundation of Chicago Testimony
Medical importance of ADAP by Dr. Dave Barker, Ruth M. Rothstein CORE Center
Written testimony from advocates, services providers, and people with HIV/AIDS
Testimony from the Strength in Unity Coalition (English, Spanish)
Testimony from Mildred Williamson, State AIDS Director, Illinois Department of Public Health
Read the letter to Representative Feigenholtz from the HIV Care Connect Cook Collar Consortia.
HIV Prevention Funding Testimony and Resources
Illinois Public Health Association, Jim Nelson
Chicago Department of Public Health
AIDS Project Quad Cities
Bethany Place, Belleville
Total Health Awareness Team, Rockford
