Wait. One more thing. Not only this, but some peoples jobs are on the line. Dear HIV Public Policy Committee, It is with great shock and disappointment that I have to inform you the legislature agreed last night to cut $2.2 million dollars for HIV care and services. They are eliminating the entire 2015 appropriation for Program HH that funds life-saving medications and services for people living with HIV. This was done in the dark of night with no ability for the people who will be affected by these cuts to make their voices heard. I was lucky enough to have another lobbyist call me at home at 8:30pm and let me know that this was just proposed. I raced to the capitol and had to beg the Finance Committee just to be allowed to testify. I did as much as I could but by that time their decision had been made. Sen. Lourey, the chair of the Senate Health and Human Services Committee, is the leading force behind these cuts. He told me that because Program HH has been sitting on more than $19 million in unspent funds, he cannot allow it to just sit there. So at a time when Minnesota has a $1 billion surplus, they are cutting HIV funding to spend in other areas. At a time when 40% of all Minnesotan’s living with HIV are not virally suppressed and linked into care, they are cutting those funds. The legislature cut $2.2 million dollars from this fund last year so that now brings the total cut from HIV to $4.5 million dollars. Imagine what you could do with $4.5 million dollars to diagnose new infections, get people linked into care, adherent to medications and in stable housing. The HIV community must decide if you are willing to just let these cuts happen or if you are willing to take action. This cannot be done by me or MAP alone. The legislature will adjourn in just a few days so our time to act is very short. A few easy things you can do right now: 1. Call Governor Dayton and tell him to stop the legislature from raiding funds from people living with HIV. His number is: 651-201-3400. Get your friends, family, board, staff, volunteers and donors to make these calls too! 2. Call and email your legislators and any legislators that you have a personal relationship with. You can find who represents you and their contact information here: gis.leg.mn/OpenLayers/districts/ 3. If you have contacts in the media – call them now. There are bigger actions we can take like a rally at the Capitol, or phone banking supporters if you are willing and want to do them. Please call me if you have any questions. Stay tuned for more information today as we move forward. Matt Toburen Public Policy Directo rMinnesota AIDS Project1400 Park Avenue, Minneapolis MN 612-817-8589 [email protected]
Posted on: Wed, 14 May 2014 15:54:20 +0000
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