In the news ... 2009
President Obama releases
disappointing HIV/AIDS budget
June 1, 2009
On May 7, 2009, President Obama released his proposed budget for
Fiscal Year 2010 (October 1, 2009 – September 30, 2010).
Advocates had hoped that the budget would reflect the President’s
stated desire to mount a renewed fight against the HIV/AIDS epidemic
in the United States.
Unfortunately, while the budget does contain some badly needed
increases, overall it is a disappointment and highly inadequate.
The budget calls for modest increases to HIV prevention (for
the first time in several years) and the Ryan White Program, which
funds care and treatment services for low-income people with HIV.
However, the increases fall far short of need. For example, the
AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) needs an increase of $269 million
to provide adequate treatment access to those in need, but the
President proposed less than 10% of that amount – a mere
$20 million.
Hepatitis advocates had been hoping that the President would reverse
years of shameful underfunding with a meaningful increase. However,
the budget calls for a tiny $51,000 increase in funding for viral
hepatitis programs – with that funding slated for salary
increases.
Perhaps most disappointing is the President’s failure to
remove language in the budget that bans the use of federal funding
for syringe exchange programs. These programs have been repeatedly
shown to reduce HIV/AIDS and hepatitis transmission without increasing
drug use. As a candidate, President Obama pledged to support evidence-based
policies and to end the federal ban. The President has indicated
his desire to remove the ban as part of his upcoming National AIDS
Strategy process; however, action is needed now to support these
lifesaving programs, many of which could be negatively affected
by state and local funding cuts.
Fortunately, the budget is only
a proposal. Congress will determine the actual funding levels for
HIV/AIDS and hepatitis programs. It also has the ability to remove
the syringe exchange ban. Project Inform, along with our partners,
will advocate for much higher increases as the budget process unfolds.
