FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — An HIV clinic in Northwest Arkansas will be shutting its doors after a critical partnership with Washington County has been ended due to budget cuts.
The clinic is funded by Washington County, Benton County, Washington Regional Medical Center, and donations, according to a document detailing the clinic’s information on the official Benton County website.
Washington County's 2024 budget has listed the county funding for the clinic at $193,389.80.
District 9 JP Beth Coger said Washington Regional Medical Center asked the county to double that contribution in 2025, leading to County Judge Patrick Deakin’s decision to cut funding.
Coger said she was unaware of the decision.
"I want to make it clear that we control the budget the quorum court. Every penny that's spent in Washington County has to be appropriated by the quorum court," Coger said.
Despite lack of enrollment with only 21 patients, Coger explained that this resource is necessary.
"This cut is a very small amount, when compared to our overall budget for Washington County," Coger said. "It's very small and under $200,000 for 2024. But it affects people who are so vulnerable, who are sick and need help."
5NEWS asked Deakins if the county has provided alternative resources for the current patients. He replied with the following statement:
"Our county operations, as I am sure taxpayers can appreciate with their own personal budgets, have seen dramatic inflationary cost increases over the past few years. This has placed enormous pressure on our finite taxpayer funds. We are faced with the stark reality of making difficult financial decisions to ensure that we are meeting our constitutional and statutory obligations to the citizens of Washington County."
"After careful assessment of our priorities now and into the future, and after demands for significant additional financial commitments, Washington County made the difficult decision to end our partnership with the Northwest Arkansas HIV Clinic. We celebrate their years of dedication and success and wish the organization success with their future plans!”
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