AEGiS-PRn: First-of-Its-Kind Forum Assesses the Future of Publicly-Funded U.S. HIV Care

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2003. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

First-of-Its-Kind Forum Assesses the Future of Publicly-Funded U.S. HIV Care

PRNewswire - November 17, 2003

WASHINGTON, Nov. 17 /PRNewswire/ -- Federal and state officials, public health leaders, community advocates, and HIV/AIDS service providers gathered in Washington, DC on November 13-15, 2003 at the National Policy Forum on Future Funding for HIV Care to address the ongoing state and federal challenges related to caring for individuals living with HIV and AIDS. This timely meeting was called in light of increasing numbers of HIV-positive individuals being identified and linked to care, increased costs associated with providing care and treatment to more individuals, the negative impact of decreasing state and federal health budgets on HIV/AIDS programs that serve the low income and uninsured, and the disproportionate impact that HIV/AIDS is having on communities of color and underserved populations.

Diminishing funds for public HIV treatment programs have had a deleterious impact on patients throughout the U.S.:

* Federal funding in the last three years for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) -- which provide life-saving HIV treatments to low income, uninsured and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S. -- has been insufficient to meet the needs of those eligible.

* Fifteen state ADAP programs have closed enrollment to new clients or have limited access to anti-HIV drugs and other treatments.

* 700 people nationwide are on ADAP waiting lists, with an additional six states anticipating new/additional restrictions in fiscal year 2003.

* Increasing numbers of people with HIV/AIDS who rely on Medicaid have lost or are threatened with the loss of comprehensive HIV care services.

Without more comprehensive approaches to HIV funding, even greater numbers of patients will go without the HIV care they need to lead productive lives.

More About the Forum

Sponsors of the Forum included the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC), the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), the Association of State and Territorial Health Officials (ASTHO), the National Association of People with AIDS (NAPWA), and the HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA). The National Policy Forum on Future Funding for HIV Care provided a unique opportunity for meeting participants to:

* Examine the current state of funding for HIV-related care and services under the Medicare and Medicaid programs and the Ryan White CARE Act;

* Engage in problem-solving dialogue about future funding for HIV care and treatment;

* Explore the potential impact that proposed changes in Medicare and Medicaid, as well as the pending congressional reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, may have on access to HIV care and treatment for the poor and uninsured; and,

* Generate ideas, share best practices, and make recommendations related to improving the current crisis faced by our nation's publicly-funded HIV service delivery systems.

Members of the news media are invited to call into a teleconference press briefing on Tuesday, November 18, 2003 at 12:00 p.m. Representatives of the sponsoring organizations and conference presenters will be on hand to discuss with reporters the important issues raised at the meeting, including representatives of:

* National Minority AIDS Council

* Treatment Access Expansion Project

* National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors

* Florida AIDS Action

* Title II Community AIDS National Network

* American Academy of HIV Medicine

The toll-free dial-in number is (888) 423-3281 and the access code is 707279.

To RSVP for the telebriefing or for further information, please contact Mike Nelson at (212) 468-3674 or mike.nelson@mslpr.com.

SOURCE National Policy Forum on Future Funding for HIV Care

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PR031133

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