Health and social service officials are planning for a return of full federal HIV/AIDS funding for Nassau and Suffolk counties.
On April 25, the US Court of Appeals for the Second District ruled in favor of the counties' lawsuit against the US Department of Health and Human Services for what the court called "drastic and unauthorized" cuts to HIV/AIDS vital services. Long Island received $6.1 million in federal funds in 2006 but lost $1.3 million in 2007 when the region was reclassified in the renewal of the Ryan White Act.
Under the 2006 law, a region is considered an Eligible Metropolitan Area if it meets one of two criteria: having a minimum of 3,000 AIDS cases; or reporting 2,000 new cases during the last five years. Last year, the US District Court in Mineola interpreted the law to mean that Long Island did not meet both criteria and was not eligible for some Ryan White funds.
But the appeals court overturned that decision, finding that Long Island met one of the two criteria: Nassau and Suffolk have more than 5,000 people with AIDS. Between 2001 and 2005, the counties recorded 1,505 new cases.
Christopher Hahn, president and CEO of United Way of Long Island, which administers Ryan White funding to 13 local agencies, said the first priority is money for medical services.
Suffolk County spokesperson Dan Aug said a number of categories would be designated for the restored money, including mental health, oral health, substance abuse outpatient treatment, nutritional counseling, health insurance, medical transportation, and legal services.
05/04/08
NEW YORK: Working to Restore Help for AIDS Patients
Source: New York Times:: Linda Saslow; Courtesy of the CDC National Center for HIV, STD, and TB Prevention