Alabama: Advocates -- More State Funds Needed to Match Federal Money

On Wednesday, AIDS advocates warned that unless Alabama legislators quickly match new federal AIDS funds awarded to the state, a waiting list for AIDS medication assistance may return. Until last year, Alabama had the nation's oldest and longest waiting list for AIDS medication assistance.

"There are people who will say, 'If we're getting all this new funding, why are we having this today?' Kathie Hiers, CEO of AIDS Alabama, said during a luncheon honoring and updating legislative allies in the state's battle against HIV/AIDS. "Well, first of all, we won't get that new funding if our state doesn't make a required match. The state of Alabama must invest at least as much as they did last year' or we lose part of our federal Ryan White funds."

Last year, Alabama provided $5 million for AIDS care and services. This year, Alabama must repeat that allocation and add $3.5 million in order to receive the full portion of Ryan White funding available to it, said Hiers.

"We are on the verge of seeing some clinics out there close and their infrastructures collapse," said Don Williamson, state health officer. "Also, we have not spent the dollars to prevent infection like we could have. Now we can serve Alabamians by providing services we were' lacking but that have become standard in other parts of the country."

New funds will allow Alabama to focus on HIV/AIDS clinics and expand services, said Williamson. Advocates said new money could be used to provide patients with transportation to doctors, especially in rural areas, and to assist patients with the costs of utilities and living.

Back to other news for March 26, 2007