HIV Budget Cuts in New York Impact Local Agencies

NEW YORK: "State Budget Cuts Hit Local AIDS Agencies"
Times Union (Albany, N.Y.) (09.30.08):: Sharon Hong

New York's state budget reductions are hurting AIDS service providers in the Capital Region, advocates say.

Gov. David Patterson instituted a 3 percent budget cut for all state agencies in the spring, and he ordered additional cuts after a midyear report predicted a $630 million shortfall this year and a $5 billion deficit for 2009-10. Each agency covered by state local assistance funding was reduced 7 percent. The governor's two-year plan cut spending for the rest of this fiscal year by more than $1.5 billion. This "across-the-board action" represents "a fair and equitable approach," said Matt Anderson, a Division of the Budget spokesperson.

Michele McClave disagrees. "Everyone understands the fiscal situation of the state, but we don't feel the cuts were made in a thoughtful manner," said the executive director of the AIDS Council of Northeastern New York. She said the cuts do not weigh the costs and benefits of keeping vital community programs funded. ACNNY's work includes HIV prevention education, testing, case management, and help with essentials like food, clothing, and transportation. "Things like that will keep them stable, so their health will be stable and they will take their medicine," McClave said.

State funds represent about half of ACNNY's $4.5 million budget, McClave said, with the remainder coming from federal grants, Medicaid, and private donations.

"At a time when we could and should be expanding, we will be restricting and reducing services," McClave said. Responding to the $90,000 reduction, ACNNY has eliminated four direct service positions, case managers, and prevention educators.