PI Action alerts & updates ... 2001

Opportunity to Expand Medicaid Coverage
To Include People Living With HIV

Urge Your Members of Congress To Co-sponsor The Early Treatment For HIV Act

On June 5, 2001 Representatives Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) and Richard Gephardt (D-MO) introduced The Early Treatment For HIV Act (H.R. 2063). A Senate version, S. 987, was introduced by Senators Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) and John Kerry (D-MA).

These bills would give states the option to extend Medicaid to uninsured low-income people living with HIV. Under current rules, most people living with HIV are ineligible for Medicaid until they reach the Social Security definition of disability. If states wish to cover people living with HIV under their Medicaid programs, they have to apply for a Medicaid waiver. This can be a lengthy and burdensome process.

H.R. 2063 and S. 987 eliminate the need for this waiver and allow states to include people living with HIV in their Medicaid program by adding HIV as an eligible category for coverage. Those applying for Medicaid would still have to meet the income requirements of their state Medicaid program.

New HIV/AIDS treatments, such as highly active antiretroviral therapy (HAART), coupled with access to comprehensive HIV medical care, are successfully delaying the progression from HIV infection to AIDS. Quality HIV care and carefully monitored treatment options are improving health and quality of life for many people living with HIV. However, these advances are out of reach for low-income people who cannot afford healthcare and treatment. Expanding Medicaid services to low-income people with HIV can delay progression to disability and prolong health.

In addition, expanding access to Medicaid for low-income people with HIV will help reduce the burden on Ryan White CARE Act programs, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). These programs are already underfunded and many are reporting difficulties providing adequate services. In addition, CARE Act programs are “discretionary”, which means funding is reviewed every year during the appropriations process. Medicaid is an “entitlement” program, meaning the funding stream is much more stable and those receiving Medicaid services are guaranteed coverage.

The Early Treatment for HIV Act is a humane and cost-effective bill. It allows people to access treatment and healthcare before becoming sick, increasing quality of life and time spent in asymptomatic stages. By providing early access to treatment, it would also help reduce the cost of emergency care, hospitalization, and treating opportunistic infections.

Advocates are mounting a campaign to encourage Members of Congress to cosponsor this bill. A long list of cosponsors will demonstrate strong support for this legislation and help make sure that it is considered for a vote this year. You can make a difference by asking your Representative and Senators to be a co-sponsor!

Action Needed for this Alert:
Write or call your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators. Ask them to cosponsor the Early Treatment for HIV Act. Remember that there are two different versions of the bill: Representatives should cosponsor H.R. 2063 and Senators should cosponsor S. 987. Ask them to do everything in their power to make sure the bills are considered for a vote this year. You can use the enclosed sample letter and phone messages to help craft your message.

Contact Information:
You can find contact information for your U.S. Senators by accessing their individual websites through www.senate.gov. Representatives can be found through www.house.gov/Welcome.html.

Sample Sample Letter for The Early Treatment for HIV Act:
(can be mailed, faxed, or emailed)

The Honorable ______________
U.S. House of Representatives/U.S. Senate
Washington, DC 20515 (for Representatives)
20510 (for Senators)

Dear Representative/Senator _______________:

I am writing to urge you to cosponsor H.R. 2063 (for Representatives)/S. 987 (for Senators), “The Early Treatment For HIV Act”. This bill would give states the option to extend Medicaid to uninsured low-income people living with HIV.

Insert personal statement here. If you or someone you care about would benefit from this legislation, discuss that here. Otherwise, talk about the importance of access to early treatment and healthcare for people with HIV.

The Early Treatment For HIV Act is a humane and cost-effective bill. It will increase quality of life for people living with HIV, while reducing the cost of emergency care, hospitalization, and treating opportunistic infections. Please cosponsor this important legislation and do everything in your power to make sure it is voted by Congress this year.

Sincerely,
Your name

Sample phone message:

“I am calling to urge Representative / Senator ______________ to cosponsor H.R. 2063 (for Representatives) / S. 987 (for Senators), known as The Early Treatment For HIV Act. This bill would give states the option to extend Medicaid to uninsured low-income people living with HIV. It is a humane and cost-effective bill and I urge Representative / Senator _____________ ’s strong support for its passage.”