WEATHERFORD - Justin Payne credits AIDS Resources of Rural Texas in Weatherford for keeping him healthy, perhaps even alive.
He is shocked to find the center is closing September first.
And after that, said Payne. They're not going to fill any more medications and we're just out.
It is not just HIV medications the program provides. It is medical care, a food bank, and other social services for hundreds of clients who live west of Fort Worth.
The Weatherford clinic currently sees more than 130 patients. The Abilene location handles around 300.
Center officials declined an interview with News 8. But, HIV and AIDS funding has been seriously cut on both the state and federal levels.
Texas legislators recently denied a $20 million increase to make up for a shortfall in the state's drug assistance program. More than 15,000 HIV positive Texans need that help.
A letter ARRT clients received in the mail wishes them well and encourages them to seek medical care elsewhere. It does not say where.
There are patients who are a lot worse off than I am, Payne aid. And if they can't find transportation and find medication elsewhere, then yea, this could be seriously life-threatening to some people.
Justin Payne wonders how costly the closure will be rural HIV patients.
According to a John Hopkins University study, it can cost $619,000 to live with AIDS. An HIV infected person can maybe live 24 extra years from modern treatments. Without insurance, treatments can cost about $26,000 a year.
Email:jstjames@wfaa.com
