AIDS Action Disapproves of Mass. Governor's HIV Budget Cuts

Carl Sciortino, Executive Director of AIDS Action Committee, released a statement disapproving of Massachusetts Governor Charlie Baker's recommended funding cuts to their HIV/AIDS budget:

"Governor Charlie Baker's FY2018 budget recommends cutting $4.8 million from the state's investment in HIV/AIDS prevention, education, and outreach. This recommendation, which follows a $900,000 9C cut to the current fiscal year's budget, signals a dangerous retreat by the state on efforts to fully eradicate HIV transmission in Massachusetts.

"Public spending should be aligned with effective, successful programs that improve lives and yield a return on investment. That is precisely how the state's funding of the HIV/AIDS line item has worked. Thanks to past investment in HIV treatment, prevention education, and outreach to those most vulnerable to infection, Massachusetts stands poised to eliminate HIV transmission by ensuring that by 2020, 90 percent of those living with HIV are aware of their status; 90 percent of those diagnosed with HIV are treated with antiretroviral therapy; and 90 percent of those receiving antiretroviral treatment are virally suppressed.

"That ambitious -- but achievable -- goal will not be met without investment, support, and partnership from the state, which is not in evidence with this budget recommendation. In Massachusetts, those who are living with HIV and those who are most vulnerable to infection -- Black and Latino men and women; gay and bisexual men; transgender men and women; people who are homeless, particularly young people; and those who are incarcerated -- are some of our most vulnerable residents. Unnecessarily prolonging their vulnerability to HIV is cruel, and asking them to bear the burden of budget reductions is unfair, immoral, and unjust."

AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is the state's leading provider of prevention and wellness services for people living with and at risk of HIV/AIDS. AIDS Action works to stop the epidemic by eliminating new infections; maximizing healthier outcomes of those infected and at risk; and tackling the root causes of HIV/AIDS.

Founded in 1983, AIDS Action is New England's oldest and largest AIDS service organization, advocating for the needs of people living with HIV/AIDS by educating the public and health professionals about HIV prevention and care; and promoting fair and effective HIV/AIDS policy at the city, state, and federal levels.

In 2013, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts entered into a strategic partnership with Fenway Health, allowing both organizations to improve delivery of care and services across the state and beyond.

For more information, visit aac.org