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Fed dollars bail out state program for pregnant women with HIV

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Illinois

* It just boggles my mind that the state wasn’t funding this sort of thing…

Faced with uncertainty about the future of its ability to stay open and serve women in Illinois, the Pediatric AIDS Chicago Prevention Initiative (PACPI) has recently received payment for outstanding invoices for work performed under a contract with the state. This federal funding has been released through the Illinois Department of Public Health. In response, PACPI has withdrawn from the May 4 lawsuit by Pay Now Illinois against the State. This funding, for the period of July 2015 - June 2016, will support PACPI’s critical services for vulnerable women across Illinois who are living with HIV and who are pregnant or recently delivered.

PACPI was slated to receive state funding, but IDPH identified federal funds to fill the gap in the absence of a state budget. Without this infusion of funding, PACPI could have been forced to close its doors in October 2016.

“PACPI is incredibly grateful to the state for its advocacy and support in prioritizing this life-saving program. However, we remain committed in the fight with our partner agencies to repair the crumbling social service infrastructure and push for a responsible state budget that focuses on revenue,” says Anne Statton, Executive Director of PACPI. “We call upon the state’s leaders to put aside politics and agendas and resolve this fiscal impasse with a responsible budget that includes the necessary revenue to support critical services all Illinoisans need.”

Although PACPI will now be able to continue providing direct case management services to pregnant women living with HIV and their newborns, these women and their families may still need assistance with housing, child care, vocational training, counseling services — services provided by partner agencies that have not been paid by the state and whose viability is seriously threatened. Families simply cannot escape the cycle of poverty if they cannot access these critical social services.

“While the state’s action to release this federal funding is a positive step, it is a short-term solution,” said Statton. “Illinois leaders must continue to do their jobs.”

Because of the safety net and supportive services PACPI provides, there were zero reported transmissions of HIV among babies born in 2015 in all of Illinois.

Pregnant women with HIV. Think about that.

Ugh.

posted by Rich Miller
Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:25 pm

Comments

“Illinois leaders must continue to do their jobs.”

Continue? How about “start”.

Comment by Midway Gardens Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:29 pm
There may not be a last minute bail out for similar service providers if this continues much longer without mutual compromise.

Fortunately for Rauner and Madigan, the wealthy men at the center of this impasse, they and their families are well insulated from feeling the effects their =epic struggle= is having on the state.

Comment by Formerly Known As... Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:33 pm
Maybe Rep Sandack can sent them a nice note, thanking them for their ’short term pain’. Ugh is right.

Comment by How Ironic Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:36 pm
Usually there has to be a state match for federal funds. How did the state come up with its share?

Comment by Huh? Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:54 pm
And to think that Maureen Martin couldn’t get a bill out of the Public Health Committee in 1995, when the Republicans were in control, because the AIDS Foundation of Chicago and others were against helping such mothers.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:55 pm
I wonder whether this money would have been provided if PACPI had not been a part of the lawsuit.

Comment by Pawn Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:57 pm
But will we see any more federal “flow though” funds released? Will IDNR essentially end up losing the Pittman Robertson and Dingell Johnson federal funds that are just sitting there - and to use the tired phrase - being held hostage?

Comment by Southern16 Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 3:58 pm
== Usually there has to be a state match for federal funds. How did the state come up with its share? ==

For now, the State probably just earmarked some of the money that can’t be paid out as the “match” but only sent the federal portion out. Be interesting to see if this action results in an audit finding next year.

Comment by RNUG Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 4:05 pm
==Usually there has to be a state match for federal funds. How did the state come up with its share?==

I’m not sure about some grants but in my experience with federal funds you don’t have to come up with the state match at the same time you expend federal funds. You just have to show you expended the state match prior to the close of the federal grant period.

That being said, the federal agency that oversees our federal funds is becoming concerned that we have not yet expended funds required for our state match. We’ll see what happens should they become more concerned. I’m assuming they will as the grant comes closer to it’s end.

Comment by Demoralized Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 4:53 pm
All you state reps and state senators and you too Governor Turn Around, sleep well tonight you are doing a fine job.

Comment by Anonymous Wednesday, Jun 8, 16 @ 5:17 pm
Huh
“This federal funding has been released through the Illinois Department of Public Health.”
Any clue what triggered this action? Someone open the mail? Has the $$$ been there long? Seems like it is ripe for a Capt Fax world exclusive.

Comment by Annonin' Thursday, Jun 9, 16 @ 8:47 am