FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Media Contact: Katherine Kurlon Lifelong AIDS Alliance
Marketing & Communication Coordinator
katherinejk@llaa.org 206.957.1641

PROMINENT HIV/AIDS PROVIDERS SEND LETTER TO STATE OFFICIALS ASKING THAT VITAL PROGRAM FUNDING FOR HIV/AIDS BE SPARED FROM BUDGET CUTS

February 18, 2009 Seattle, Washington – Yesterday at Lifelong AIDS Alliance’s AIDS Awareness and Action Day (A3D) in Olympia, a letter from fifteen local HIV/AIDS providers was presented to the Governor, Chris Gregoire, the Speaker of the House, Frank Chopp, and to the Senate Majority Leader, Lisa Brown. This letter explained that as health care professionals and HIV care providers, they are “…committed to giving care to all who need it regardless of their ability to pay. However, [their] ability to provide care to those in financial need is directly tied to funding assistance [they] receive from the state.”

In their letter, doctors also pleaded that funding to vital food programs such as Chicken Soup Brigade be restored. Among the other issues presented in the letter was their firm opposition to cutting funding for HIV/AIDS prevention work. They argue, “From our perspective as providers who see patients every day, we see the demand for services increasing rather than diminishing”.

Other highlights from A3D included the amazing turn out of participants. With 325 participants present, the event had representation from 43 of 49 legislative districts across Washington. The purpose of A3D was for participants in our state, both those living with HIV/AIDS and those who aren’t, to meet with legislators to discuss the need for continued funding for vital programs.

A3D attendees encouraged their legislators to protect and restore $3 million to the HIV Early Intervention Program (EIP) budget. They also encouraged the preservation of $500,000 thousand for Nutrition Services for 200+ low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS in Pierce, Snohomish and Kitsap Counties. Moreover, legislators were asked to restore cuts to HIV prevention budgets by opposing the $1.5 million cut in AIDS Omnibus Act funding.

In addition to Lifelong AIDS Alliance, the event was endorsed by the following organizations: African American Reach & Teach Health Ministries, AIDS Housing Association of Tacoma, BABES Network, Bailey Boushay House, Blue Mountain Heart to Heart, Entre Hermanos, Kitsap County HIV/AIDS Foundation, People of Color Against AIDS Network, Pierce County AIDS Foundation, Spokane AIDS Network, Rosehedge and Equal Rights Washington.

###