In response to Gov. Pat McCrory's budget proposed today, the North Carolina AIDS Action Network says the budget proposal would result in an $8 million detriment to the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program. The release from the nonprofit advocacy organization can be found in full below:

Press release

From the North Carolina AIDS Action Network

Governor McCrory’s budget proposal would cut $8 million from the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. The program provides medications to qualified North Carolinians living with HIV who cannot otherwise afford them.

"Governor McCrory’s choice to propose $8 million in cuts to this critical public health program is shortsighted and dangerous," said Lisa Hazirjian, executive director of the North Carolina AIDS Action Network.

“Ensuring that everyone living with HIV in North Carolina has access to the medications they need saves lives and lowers the rates of new infections.”
"The Governor should not abdicate his responsibility for the health of the people of this state."

Treatment allows people living with HIV to live relatively healthy lives. A 2011 UNC study showed that treatment can lower transmission rates by up to 96 percent.

About 35,000 North Carolinians are living with HIV. Almost 6,500 receive medications through the state’s HIV medication programs.