Hundreds of HIV/AIDS patients will converge in the state Capitol Building tomorrow with a message for lawmakers: Slashing funding to certain health-care programs could have dire ramifications. As some of the sickest people in the state—there are an estimated 11,000 patients living with HIV in Washington—many cannot independently afford paying for medications, food, and housing.

But virtually every discretionary form of spending is on the chopping block. Last year, Governor Gregoire forecast a nearly $6-billion budget shortfall; however, tax collections this year haven’t met expectations, and some estimate the budget shortfall could grow to over $8 billion.

“These people are accessing just about every type of social service in Washington,” says John Taylor, a member of the public policy committee for Lifelong AIDS Alliance, which is organizing AIDS Awareness & Action Day. Clients rely on state-funded programs such as an early intervention program—facing a 13 percent cut—which serves 3,300 patients with medical coverage and expensive prescriptions. Other money is funneled to Lifelong. “If these people get cut loose from the social services, there are no safety nets underneath them.”

Paying for medical costs up front is a worthy investment, Taylor says. "People we don’t cover don’t get treated, and they end up at the hospital. Then we have to pay for them in the most expensive way imaginable."

Madeline Brooks, 51, who contracted HIV 17 years ago from an ex-husband who didn't tell her he had the disease, relies on a piecemeal of services to get by. Lifelong provides meals, and the state provides $60 in food stamps each month and covers the costs of her medications. “If I didn’t have the food to take with my meds, my stomach would cramp so bad I wouldn’t be able to stand up,” she says. “I wouldn’t be able to handle the pain.” She’s also gets clothing and emergency rent assistance from Lifelong.

“If they start cutting, there will be a lot more people getting sick,” Brooks says. “There will be a lot more deaths.”