AIDS GROUP TO SEND STATE RYAN WHITE BUDGET PROPOSAL

After funding dollars for the Ryan White AIDS program dwindled last September, the 170 people infected with the HIV virus in Southeast Missouri couldn't get all the help they needed.

A local group hopes to correct that problem by developing an alternative budget to send to the state.

Friday, the Southeast Missouri Ryan White Consortia approved an alternative proposal for state funding. The $157,900 budget proposal will be sent to the health department later this month.

It gives the regional consortium more money to spend on physician care, medication and patient transportation, which were ranked as top priorities by people affected or infected with HIV/AIDS.

The Missouri Department of Health had originally proposed allotting $13,000 to the Southeast Missouri region, which provides service to a 22-county region.

The funding cycle for Ryan White grants begins April 1.

The budget proposal is based on a worst case scenario. But there is no guarantee this will pass, said Cecil Strachen, who chairs the Southeast Missouri Ryan White Consortia.

"It's this or the state's offer," he said. "The state's not making any sacrifices. You have to look at how far you can serve for that $13,000 and what can you serve."

Under the proposed budget, the St. Louis and Kansas City consortium would give up money for utilities and food assistance so that rural regions could provide medicine and physician care for patients.

"It's awful nice for them to offer to give up something so we won't go without," said George Zolman, an alternative representative for the state consortia.

But some budget guidelines opponents say that not enough people are being helped.

"The state's keeping most of the money -- more than their share," said Mike, an AIDS patient living in St. Francois County.