Mississippi Department of Health Asks $2.5 Million AIDS Funds

Mississippi Department of Health officials said on March 1 they are requesting $2.5 million from the state Legislature to match a federal HIV/AIDS grant. The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides services such as treatment, insurance, and transportation to doctors’ appointments. The program will match $2 for every $1 spent by DOH.

But a longtime supporter of people with HIV/AIDS said the chances of the Legislature following through are “slim to none.” “We eradicated polio; we have fought every disease that has come to our state,” Rep. Steve Holland (D-Plantersville), a former chair of the House Public Health Committee, said during a news conference. “We have to step up our efforts in this fight.”

DOH has about $4 million of the $6.5 million required to receive the entire $13.5 million allocation from the Ryan White program. Some of the $4 million in funds are already committed to HIV/AIDS work, such as in the state Department of Corrections, said Liz Sharlot, a DOH spokesperson.

House Appropriations Committee Chair Herb Frierson (R-Poplarville) said he is optimistic DOH will receive the same amount of funding as last year - about $26.5 million, including the Ryan White money - but probably not more. This year DOH requested $32.5 million. A shortfall would not necessarily lead to HIV/AIDS cuts but to cuts from a combination of programs, said Dr. Mary Currier, the state health officer.

“Overall our state budget is going to be very tight,” said Sam Mims (R-McComb), Public Health and Welfare Committee chair, who added he is trying to ensure DOH gets the allocation it needs. “We can only spend what the taxpayers send us.”

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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