Christensen: HIV-AIDS Funding Cut Was A Mistake

(Washington, DC-- December 11,2012) – Delegate to Congress Donna M. Christensen said today that she was pleased to learn that an initial advisory to a Virgin Islands AIDS advocacy group that its funding was to be cut was a mistake.  Congresswoman Christensen said she learned yesterday from officials at the Department of Health and Human Services Office of Women’s Health that HOPE (Helping Others in a Positive Environment), Inc. would not have its funding eliminated. HOPE, Inc. provides HIV/AIDS related prevention and care services and treatments to women and girls who have or are at risk for HIV/AIDS.

Congresswoman Christensen said that she was advised by HOPE Inc.’s CEO Ivy Moses that HHS informed them that they planned to eliminate its $300,000 grant in the second year of its proposed funding. Congresswoman Christensen, with her colleague Resident Commissioner Pedro Pierluisi, whose territorial programs also were informed of cuts, made inquiries and found out that it was a mistake.

“I am extremely pleased that this situation has been resolved in such a positive manner,” Congresswoman Christensen said.”When my office was first contacted by HOPE, Inc. about the issue, this became an immediate priority because HIV/AIDS has such a disproportionate and detrimental impact on Virgin Islanders.  With an HIV/AIDS case rate that is the second highest in the nation, and with nearly 7 in every 10 Virgin Islanders with HIV/AIDS currently out of care, doing nothing simply was not an option,” she said.

“I want to thank Ms. Moses and the team at HOPE, Inc. for informing my office of the situation. I also want to very sincerely thank the officials at HHS for working with my office to promptly address the situation and to ensure that the vital funding from OWH continue to support the successful initiatives planned and launched by HOPE, Inc. – initiatives that have and now will continue to protect and preserve the health and wellbeing of our most vulnerable residents and communities.”

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