Alabama's AIDS
Drug Assistance Program needs $5 million in legislative
funding, its largest funding request to date, to maintain
its prescription drug program and $12 million in
federal matching funds. ADAP provides medications for
1,100 HIV-positive state residents. Last week, the
state senate's finance and appropriations committee
approved a general fund budget that would boost state
ADAP funding by 42% to provide the necessary $5
million.
However, AIDS
Alabama CEO Kathie Hiers said the proposed increase
"doesn't put a dent in the list"--the waiting list of people
needing assistance from the program. Three hundred people
are now on the list, and up to 35 new HIV cases are
being reported every month. More than 400 people are
expected to join the list next year. And, noted state
representative Laura Hall, the senate committee's approval
does not mean the increase will pass in both houses of
the legislature.
Alabama has
10,000 documented HIV cases. A growing caseload and the
longer life expectancy of infected persons have strained
state resources. Last year's general fund allotment
for ADAP was $3.5 million. When the program was forced
to consider cutting 200 patients, the legislature
provided a $1 million emergency appropriation.
Hiers said the
South receives only one third of federal funds for HIV
prevention and treatment, even though the region accounts
for 45% of new cases in the United States. Cities of
500,000 people or more, such as New York City and
San Francisco, get extra money even though their
caseloads have declined, she said. Hiers and other activists
are pushing Congress to revamp its formula for
distributing Ryan White CARE Act funds. The act
expired in September; President Bush has asked
Congress to reauthorize it for another five years. "I can't
live with this inequity for another five years," Hiers
said. (AP)
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