Washington and Benton Counties Discuss Funding for HIV Clinic

At an unprecedented joint meeting on Thursday, representatives of Benton and Washington counties tentatively agreed on how to fund the Washington County HIV Clinic.

Some 37 percent of the clinic's patients reside in Benton County, though in previous years the proportion of residents from each county has been more evenly split. In April, Washington County officials notified Benton County that its residents would be turned away from the clinic unless the county contributed $17,000 in clinic funding. However, Benton County officials said they would not pay the sum unless the clinic obtained nonprofit 501(c)(3) tax status.

During the meeting, Washington County officials promised that they will create a nonprofit organization to act as a fundraiser for the clinic. Benton County has yet to vote on the agreement, but representatives at the meeting tentatively agreed to pay the $17,000 and enter into negotiations to jointly run the clinic.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org/.


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