August 15, 2008
PROTEST AGAINST AIDS BUDGET CUTS TODAY AT 2PM!
as Paterson threatens Medicaid
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We'll see you here at 2pm! |
It's been one piece of bad news after another lately. In late June (on LGBT Pride Day no less), New York City announced a budget deal that decimated HIV/AIDS services by $6 million. Last week, State Medicaid Director Deborah Bachrach made it clear that she wants to force poor New Yorkers with HIV on Medicaid into managed care. This week, Gov. David Paterson announced he wanted to cut another $1 billion from an already trimmed State budget and that $506 million of those cuts would come from Medicaid spending.
Galvanized and angered by the CDC's recent report that 40 percent more Americans get HIV year every year than previously estimated, New York City and State AIDS groups are ready to push back.
The AIDS Budget Action Coalition is organizing hundreds of people living with HIV/AIDS, their supporters, and representatives of dozens of New York City AIDS service organizations for a rally outside of Paterson's New York City office today. Housing Works, GMHC, Positive Health Project, Bronx Pride, Bronx AIDS Services, Harlem United, New York AIDS Coalition, Harm Reduction Center, Hispanic AIDS Forum and dozens of other groups will be in attendance.
“Many legislators may not be afraid to make these cuts because of who they affect: poor people, people of color, drug users and other at-risk groups. This rally and other actions will show them that we hold them accountable,” said Housing Works President and CEO Charles King.
Protest location: Gov. Paterson's New York City office at 633 Third Avenue between 40th and 41st St.
Protest time: Today, August 15, 2008 from 2pm to 3:30pm
Ralliers are calling for 1) a restoration of HIV/AIDS funding cuts to the State Budget 2) no further cuts and 3) an in increase in funding for services to those living with HIV/AIDS.
Despite the fact that federal Ryan White funding reductions loom, New York City and State are chipping away large chunks of our AIDS infrastructure. The City cut $750,000 for housing for homeless people with HIV, $700,000 for syringe exchange programs and $1 million for rapid HIV testing. Meanwhile, Paterson's proposed cuts to Medicaid could be devastating to New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS. That population relies on Medicaid more than any other program for health care. Cuts will imperil services upon which they depend.
Come tell Paterson to show his commitment to New Yorkers living with HiV/AIDS—and put his money where his mouth is!
For more information on today's rally, contact terri smith-caronia at smith-caronia@housingworks.org.