Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1997. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PR Newswire; Friday December 5, 8:47 pm EST
"The Administration's splashy April announcement expressed its wish to extend benefits to the poor with HIV," said Michael Weinstein, President of Los Angeles-based AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF). "Eight months later, we get a press release saying they're abandoning that effort. That's an unacceptable abdication of leadership," said Weinstein.
In response to escalating costs associated with effective new treatments, AIDS Healthcare Foundation has called on Congress and the Administration to ensure access to care through Medicaid, which funds California's Medi-Cal program. The Administration promised to study the issue in hopes of preventing annual financial crises faced by the states in providing new treatments.
"Currently, Medicaid requires disability prior to extending benefits," said Weinstein. "As people on new treatments do well, fewer are meeting that requirement, but are racking up high prescription drug and medical bills. That's resulted in lotteries for medications in some states. Why must people with HIV wait until destruction of the immune system before Medicaid kicks in?"
Advocates had expected the Administration to propose a set of options for states to pursue. As recently as last month, administration officials were indicating that they would issue a call for demonstration projects to determine the feasibility of such an expansion. "Ironically, right on the heel of World AIDS Day, where's even a modest proposal of a demonstration project to really study the issue?" said Weinstein. "Obviously, the President is not feeling our pain this week," he chided.
For more information on please contact Cesar Portillo, AHF Government Affairs Director, (213) 860-5202; Jessie Gruttadauria, AHF Government Affairs Manager, (213) 860-5203. For general information on AHF, contact Ged Kenslea, AHF's Community Relations Director (213) 860-5225.
AHF serves over 5,000 Greater Los Angeles patients at 4 out-patient health care centers and 2 residential facilities throughout greater Los Angeles.
SOURCE: AIDS Healthcare Foundation
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