Modifications Made to HIV/AIDS Funding
A bipartisan motion from Vos, Pocan, Taylor and Darling modifies the governor's recommendation on budget paper 412, which deals with HIV/AIDS program funding through the Department of Health and Family Services.
The motion adopts alternative 4 of the budget paper, but begins the HIRSP pilot project on Oct. 1 rather than Jan. 1, provides an additional $400,000 above the governor's recommendation of $1 million for Mike Johnson grants, and modifies funding for the program to reflect re-estimates, reducing the funding to $1.74 million in 2008-09.
It also modifies statutes pertaining to the Mike Johnson grant program. The motion futher adopts alternative 5 of paper 412 which directs DHFS to determine feasibility of developing to the way the AIDS drug assistance program or other programs purchase HIV/AIDS medications in the pilot project and HIRSP would reimburse ADAP or the other programs for those prescription drug costs.
The changes to the bill increase spending by $1.3 million GPR.
The motion passed 15-1, with Rep. Suder voting against, saying the appropriation amounts to singling out one disease for special funding.
