Protest over HIV prevention cuts.

People are sounding off on proposed cuts to HIV-Aids education. Protesters stood in the rain outside where Louisiana Governor Bobby Jindal spoke in Shreveport. “You have no business hurting Louisiana lower class. These people need help,” protestor Micah Herold says. “I wish this group had done their homework. This group has a history of radical attacks,” Jindal says the funding cut comes from the federal government, not the state. But HIV advocates say the loss of cash could increase the spread of this deadly virus. Karen Hopkins joins us now live. Karen how will it affect people with living with aids? Imagine being sick, having aids, and not able to afford your medication. Shreveports Philadelphia Center helps people with that need. But moneys getting tight, leaders say so tight people could die. “People will die without their medication. Yes I would be dead without the medication." 20 pills a day. Christy swallows them all to slow the progression of the HIV virus. Her Medicare doesnt cover the cost. She relies on the aids drugs assistance program. The federal government gives Louisiana $20 million a year to help people, like Christy, afford aids medication. The funding hasnt increased since 2005, but the need has. Shreveports Philadelphia Center, an HIV resource, is starting a waiting list. “People could literally die waiting for life sustaining medications, antiviral to keep people alive," Debbie Allen says. About 3,000 people in northwest Louisiana have the HIV virus. Philadelphia center tries to stop the spread proactively, with education. Thats getting more challenging. Advocate Sylvia McIntyre says the center lost 91-thousand dollars in prevention funds this year. “Protect yourself, educate yourself. Now you want to tell me I cant do that anymore? Were going to lose people because I cant get out there and educate people about this virus?” Christy says HIV awareness has come a long way. She was diagnosed with aids 17 years go. “I was told I need to make arrangements for someone to raise my child because I would not live to see him grow up." Shes still watching him grow up. Thanks to help, she says from the Philadelphia center. Christy hopes the center can continue to help more people. McIntyre says it will start fundraising efforts and search for other grants. There is another option for people who cant afford HIV medication. Patients can sign up for pharmacy programs that offer low cost drugs.