Congressman Jerrold Nadler (NY-08), today expressed great alarm over the large cuts in federal funds to the City of New York for its HIV/AIDS programs. The Federal Government is expected to cut funding under the Ryan White funding mechanism by $10.2 million, or roughly eight percent compared to last year, and comes at a time when the City has a growing number of people living with HIV.

"There is no compassion in this decision to cut HIV/AIDS funds as the number of cases continues to rise," said Rep. Nadler. "The Federal Government has the responsibility and opportunity to help local governments combat HIV/AIDS and this funding proposal grossly fails in both regards. At a time when service providers are facing budgets cuts, this decision will only further complicate efforts to fight HIV/AIDS."

Rep. Nadler noted that these grants were distributed under a new formula under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act, which changed the manner in which federal funds are distributed. As a result of these changes, the City’s Minority AIDS Initiative is being cut by roughly 22 percent.

"This new formula hurts cities – the very places that have larger numbers of HIV/AIDS cases," Rep. Nadler added. "Failing to fund the efforts of cities to fight and treat HIV/AIDS puts the public’s health at great risk. I will work with my colleagues in Congress to fix this dangerous and unwise policy."