Governor's budget would make dangerous cuts to state AIDS program

PRESS STATEMENT                                          CONTACT: Claire Hermann

March 20, 2013                                                                          (919) 533-9677, claire@ncaan.org

GOVERNOR’S BUDGET WOULD MAKE DANGEROUS CUTS TO AIDS PROGRAM

Governor McCrory’s budget proposal would cut $8 million from the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. The program provides medications to qualified North Carolinians living with HIV who cannot otherwise afford them.

"Governor McCrory’s choice to propose $8 million in cuts to this critical public health program is shortsighted and dangerous," said Lisa Hazirjian, executive director of the North Carolina AIDS Action Network.

“Ensuring that everyone living with HIV in North Carolina has access to the medications they need saves lives and lowers the rates of new infections.”

"The Governor should not abdicate his responsibility for the health of the people of this state," Hazirjian said.

Treatment allows people living with HIV to live relatively healthy lives. A 2011 UNC study showed that treatment can lower transmission rates by up to 96 percent.

About 35,000 North Carolinians are living with HIV. Almost 6,500 receive medications through the state’s HIV medication programs.

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