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| AIDS Action works to ensure that all Americans, especially those living with HIV/AIDS, have access to quality affordable healthcare, including innovative HIV treatments and medications, that are delivered through the private sector and through public health programs including Medicare, Medicaid, and Ryan White CARE Act Programs. Improving access to health care includes: guaranteeing access to qualified, well-trained clinicians and doctors; reforming Medicaid to better serve the needs of people living with HIV; enacting meaningful Medicare reform; ensuring the sustainability and funding of the Ryan White CARE Act; and supporting the research and development of future treatment options. Access to Qualified Clinicians: Treating conditions associated with HIV disease and maintaining a high quality of life for those living with HIV is complex. Access to well-trained and qualified physicians, pharmacists, nurses and other health care workers is vital to improving the health of Americans living with HIV/AIDS. Utilization of on-going education and training for clinicians and the introduction of innovative treatment options which meet federal guidelines is vital to all Americans, but especially to those living with HIV/AIDS. Medicaid: Medicaid is one of the most important programs for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS, providing access to health care for over 40 percent of adults and 90 percent of all children living with HIV/AIDS. Medicaid eligibility should be expanded to include all low-income, HIV-positive individuals. Such an expansion would allow early access to health care and could life-prolonging drugs before advanced disease progression. Medicare: Medicare is the third largest source of HIV/AIDS care in the United States and provides health care to one in five Americans living with HIV. Although Medicare does not provide critical coverage for prescription drugs needed to keep seniors and people with disabilities healthy, it does provide on-going health care access. Medicare reform must include a prescription drug benefit that meets the needs of people with disabilities and ensures access to comprehensive heath care. Ryan White CARE Act: The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act represents the federal government’s largest financial allocation specifically targeted for HIV-related health and support services. Ensuring funding of the CARE Act and its programs provides vitally important services to Americans who would otherwise not have access to them, including outpatient medical services, prescription drugs, psycho-social support, and food and nutrition services. Research
and Clinical Trials: Scientific research and discovery
over the past two decades has vastly improved the ability to treat
people living with HIV/AIDS. These innovative ideas have led to
the development of antiretroviral therapies and other treatments
that are allowing people to live with HIV/AIDS. Ongoing research
must continue in order to advance and improve treatment options.
In addition, clinical trials must include diverse populations
to ensure drug effectiveness in all Americans. The development
and funding of an active research agenda will continue to improve
the lives of Americans living with HIV/AIDS. |