Governor Signs Budget That Increases Funding for Family Planning and HIV/AIDS Services for Low-Income North Carolinians!
NARAL Pro Choice North Carolina is celebrating a new state budget that increases family planning funding and AIDS drug assistance.
On July 10th Gov. Easley signed a new budget that increased the Women’s Health Services Fund by $200,000. The Women’s Health Service Fund, established in 1993, is a dedicated source of state funding that provides for contraceptive services and STD screening and treatment for uninsured low-income women who are not eligible for Medicaid. Rep. Verla Insko (D-Orange) proved once again her commitment to good reproductive health care policies and provided strong leadership to see this bill through the appropriations process.
The new budget also doubles the eligibility for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). This program provides life-saving medication for HIV/AIDS to low income North Carolinians. Previously, NC had the worst eligibility of any state in the country. This increase comes at critical time for our state as HIV infection rates are at record highs on NC college campuses. Rep. Pricey Harrison (D-Guilford), Rep. Thomas Wright (D-New Hanover), Sen. Larry Shaw (D-Cumberland) and Sen. Bill Purcell (D-Scotland) all deserve a big thank you for their long standing commitment and outspoken advocacy for people living with AIDS.
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