AIDS Activists Fear Massachusetts Budget Cuts Will Reverse Years of Gains

In 1990, Kerry Marshall -- who was homeless and addicted to drugs -- was diagnosed as HIV-positive. She relied upon state services such as drug rehabilitation and AIDS-related medical care to get her life back together. Now she has a college degree, stable health, and a job with AIDS Action helping other HIV-infected adults find adequate housing. But after the recent Massachusetts Legislature-approved budget cuts, Marshall fears that people diagnosed with HIV today won't have the opportunities she had a decade ago.

The Massachusetts state budget for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention has been slashed by $12.2 million -- a 24 percent cut that could feel twice as severe because the fiscal year is already nearly half over. Some 300 HIV/AIDS patients could lose basic care, and another 10,000 could see their services significantly curtailed. HIV counseling, testing and prevention campaigns will be reduced, and 28 AIDS-related state workers and up to 150 employees of community health centers could lose their jobs. "This is horrible health care and horrible public health," said Dr. Stephen Boswell, executive director of Fenway Community Health Center, one of the largest AIDS treatment centers in New England.

AIDS activists protested the reduction at the State House and tried to persuade state leaders to reverse their decision. Administration and Finance Secretary Stephen P. Crosby said the Legislature's budget cuts too deeply into AIDS services. The administration of Acting Governor Jane Swift recommended trimming $7.1 million from AIDS accounts, which would have affected awareness and outreach only, and not direct services to patients, Crosby said. House Ways and Means Chair John H. Rogers said he is sensitive to advocates' concerns. Lawmakers tried to avoid cutting AIDS funding but, forced to make $650 million in trims, they had little choice, Rogers said. AIDS accounts will be among the first areas replenished if the state finds extra cash to spend.

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