March 11, 2009 HIV/AIDS task force faces cut in state funding Play video

(NECN: Latoyia Edwards, Concord, NH) - Spending cuts forced by the recession are hitting government programs of every kind. Case in point: New Hampshire, where the HIV/AIDS task force is trying to fill an unexpected million dollar hole in its budget.

These beaming smiles belong to people who have lost their lives to Acquired-Immuno Deficiency Syndrome. Before they died of AIDS, they received medical and support services at the Southern New Hampshire HIV/AIDS task force. An agency facing a million dollar cut in state funding.

Wendy: My biggest concern is the spreading of the virus the epidemic because our clients will not have the services they need to keep their own virus under control let alone passing it somebody else.

Robert Cormier says the state must restore its million-dollar promise to the Southern New Hampshire HIV/AIDS task force. The agency helps to feed him each month and supported after he suffered 3 heart attacks and bout with cancer associated with the hiv diagnosis he received at age 26.

New Hampshire’s bureau chief for community health services says state government is at the very least trying to keep HIV and AIDS medicine assistance afloat despite widespread budget cutbacks.

But the leader of the HIV/AIDS task force says public health officials told her HIV/AIDS patients should not receive more funding than other chronic illnesses.

Wendy: Bottom line is the state needs to find new revenue because they shouldn’t

Though the financial situation looks bleak all hope is not lost. The aids service organizations could get a last minute lifeline from some friendly senators here at the New Hampshire statehouse

A spokesperson for New Hampshire governor John Lynch issued a statement, which said “The governor's budget proposal tries to protect the safety net for the most vulnerable citizens which means other worthy causes may be cut."