Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
Whitman-Walker drops appeal on denial of D.C. pharmacy contract
Washington Blade - October 3, 2003 Lou Chibbaro Jr.
The Whitman-Walker Clinic on Sept. 15, withdrew its appeal of a decision by the D.C. Department of Health to choose the Arlington-based Care Pharmacies, Inc., over the clinic for a five-year, $3.7 million contract to set up a network of pharmacies for people with HIV. Whitman-Walker spokesperson Michael Cover said the clinic dropped its appeal after Care Pharmacies invited Whitman-Walker and two pharmacies affiliated with the clinic to become a part of the Care Pharmacies network of pharmacies providing HIV prescription medications under a soon-to-be-established Medicaid pilot program. The program, which is funded by the federal government, will allow people with HIV who have not progressed to full blown AIDS to become eligible for Medicaid coverage for prescription drugs and medical treatment. Prior to the start of the program, people with HIV could not be enrolled in Medicaid until they were classified as disabled, which was defined as having AIDS. In its appeal of the DOH contract decision, Whitman-Walker said the city should have split the contract between Care Pharmacies and Whitman-Walker, both of which had proposed networks of 14 pharmacies. Whitman-Walker officials argued that a larger number of pharmacies were needed to help as many as 4,000 people with HIV receive their drugs from the pharmacy network through the Medicaid program and the city's AIDS Drug Assistance Program. DOH officials have declined to comment on why they chose to award the contract to Care Pharmacies. "We're pleased to be part of their network," said Cornelius Baker, Whitman-Walker's executive director. "We will do everything we can to make sure people will have adequate pharmacy care." Gerson Serody, chief executive officer of Care Pharmacies, said he was "very happy" to have Whitman-Walker join the Care Pharmacies network. "I realize how important Whitman-Walker has been in HIV care and treatment," he said. Serody said DOH officials have told him they hope to have the Medicaid program, which is known as the "1115 waiver" program, up and running sometime between Oct. 15 and Nov. 15.
Always watch for outdated information. This article first appeared in 2003. This material is designed to support, not replace, the relationship that exists between you and your doctor.
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Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
