Health commissioner refuses to answer reporter’s questions about AIDS fund – Tennessee Lookout

Health Commissioner Ralph Alvarado won a pass during his first appearance before the Senate Health Committee, then on Wednesday shunned reporters who asked about the state’s new policy to end federally funded HIV services at nonprofits.

Alvarado, who came to Tennessee in December after serving in the Kentucky legislature and running for lieutenant governor, offered a statement from Democratic Sen. Jeff Yarbrough but offered no comment on the Health Department’s recent decision to withdraw federal funding. new insights.

Senator Rusty Crowe, R-Kingsport, the committee’s chairman, has asked members to use Wednesday’s meeting as an introductory moment and to refrain from questions until Alvarado presents his budget on March 15.

But Nashville Democrat Yabloh took the opportunity to ask Alvarado about the “abrupt” decision to block funding to groups that have provided HIV services for decades with bipartisan support. Yarbro noted that the decision came two days after Alvarado took office.

“I’m not sure if it’s a decision you signed off on or inherited. But either way, it’s a decision you have to deal with, and we have to deal with it,” Yarbro said.

Lawmakers from both parties want to know how the state plans to approach HIV care, Yarbro added, urging commissioners to have a “broader conversation” by March 15.

Alvarado did not offer any new perspective on the matter.

Echoing a letter sent to the nonprofit a week earlier, Alvarado responded that current arrangements for HIV services are made by other administrations.

“This administration is looking at areas where it could reduce reliance on federal funding and assumes more independence in that area. The state has now decided that it is in the best interest of Tennesseans that the state assume direct financial and regulatory responsibility for these services responsibility,” Alvarado said.

The funding will last until May, and then the state will take a different route, he said. Alvarado added that the new policy will not affect HIV treatment through the Ryan White program.

“The state is looking at how to implement an effective program at the state level and will inform the community of specific details as soon as the time is right,” Alvarado said.

The new commissioner was ushered out of the room by staff and reporters, but Health Department spokesman Dean Flener yelled that questions would not be allowed because Alvarado had yet to attend Another meeting.

Yarbro was then fuming, saying neither the governor nor the commissioner provided enough information about the transfer of funds to lawmakers, the public or community providers. He called their decision “reckless”.

Yarbro argued that the state would not be able to build the same level of service as community-based organizations with successful records.

“And, frankly, it puts people at risk,” he said.

AIDS funding will be channeled primarily through the state’s six metropolitan health departments.

Gov. Lee said last week that some nonprofits would receive funding from the state to provide HIV services, but he also said the groups would target human trafficking, first responders and pregnant women, who are not considered the most at risk of HIV infection group.

The state targeted Planned Parenthood before notifying each nonprofit that it would end participation in the federal HIV program, the report shows.

“I don’t know who it was targeting,” Yarbro said Wednesday. “I’ve read media reports that there are problems with LGBT organizations or Planned Parenthood. … But why should we care who is helping Tennesseans not get AIDS or spread HIV?”