Massachusetts State Budget Updates

HIV/AIDS line item funding.

On Tuesday night, April 26, the Massachusetts House passed a public health amendment that not only restored the $2 million slated to be cut, but added an additional $500,000.

"The public health amendment passed by the House yesterday is a smart and focused investment in public health. Prevention and wellness programs are critical to long-term savings in health care," Rebecca Haag, CEO of AIDS Action Committee, said in a public statement. "Over the last 10 years, the state's investment in HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention has paid off with a 59 percent reduction in new HIV diagnoses. This will result in a savings of more than $1.6 billion in health care costs."

In addition, Representative Carl Sciortino filed Amendment #620 to add $100,000 to the state budget for funds to be used to address issues related to the implementation of the state's anti-bullying law, MassEquality reported. The LGBT Youth Commission was not funded in the House Ways and Means budget. Similarly, the budget did not include language for the training of elder service providers on working with the LGBT senior population. Representative Liz Malia filed Amendment #361 to include language in the budget that requires elder service provider training and outreach to LGBT elders and caregivers. The House is expected to act on the above amendments before the end of this week.

In the mean time, MassEquality urged supporters in a public email to call their representative(s) and express support for Amendments #620 and #361.