Aids Patients Celebrate

Idaho AIDS patients cheered Tuesday as lawmakers put $200,000 toward a drug assistance program, which could possibly serve an additional 18 victims.

“They’re really excited,” said Lori Lochelt of the North Idaho AIDS Coalition. “It makes them feel that state lawmakers are acknowledging them as a population.”

The state Department of Health and Human Services wanted $700,000 to help fund the federal program that provides drugs to Idaho’s uninsured and underinsured AIDS patients. But Batt’s budget request excluded the request.

The committee agreed to fund $200,000 of the program after advocates lobbied lawmakers.

Lochelt said the state’s support is welcomed since a drop in federal funds and cutback in charitable donations from drug companies are expected.

“This is the first time Idaho has funded anything for AIDS at all,” she said. “I’m still choked up.”

, DataTimes