Agenda 04-01-2004 - Laserfiche WebLink

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PUBLIC HEALTH TASK FORCE 2004: PRELIMINARY RECOMMENDATIONS PUBLIC HEALTH IMPROVEMENT PLAN HIV /AIDS DRUG ASSISTANCE PROGRAM (ADAP) Need Addressed /Rationale The NC AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) had been closed to new enrollees for the majority of time from December 15, 2001 through March 1, 2003, due to a shortage of funds. The Program opened to new applicants briefly, and then was forced to re- implement a Waiting List as of September 15, 2003. About 120 individuals were moved from the Waiting List to the Program on November 30, 2003, and the Waiting List`was re- established — and remains in effect — as of December 1, 2003. As of January 22, 2004, there are 163 individuals on the ADAP Waiting List. With an average of about 65 new individuals applying to and qualifying for the Program each month, more than 300 individuals will likely be placed on the Waiting List by June 30, 2004. An estimated 750 additional individuals will apply and qualify for the ADAP Program next year. Serving these individuals will not be possible without significant additional funds. North Carolina's ADAP financial eligibility criterion, atibelow 125% of the federal poverty level, is the lowest in the nation. It is essential that this eligibility level be raised to 200% of the federal poverty level in order to provide essential, life sustaining medications to individuals that are still very low income and do not have any other means of accessing these medication. It is also worth noting that, in FY 2003, almost 64% of North Carolinians served by ADAP were persons of color, who as a group are disproportionately affected by HIV disease. Without additional funds to enable the ADAP Program to remain open and serve all HIV+ North Carolinians at or below 200% of the federal poverty'level, the results may well include (1) an increase in the need for more costly health care services by these individuals in the future, and (2) an increase in the likelihood of further transmission of HIV disease. Individuals that do not receive coverage through ADAP may wind up being served, both for medications and more costly medical care, by Medicaid and/or other public state and/or local institutions and programs, as well as by private institutions. Additional social services targeted to families where HIV disease is present, as well as mental health/substance abuse services, may also be required and need to be provided by public sources /programs. HIV prevention efforts are also hindered by a lack of access to appropriate and required treatments (i.e., medications), contributing to the continuing and further spread of HIV disease within the State. Those without access to these medications are often unable to maintain a reasonable health status and thus unable to remain at and/or return to work. This may increase their dependence on unemployment insurance and/or other public agency /program support. Infrastructure /Capacity Improvement Increased funding is required in order for the state to serve all low — income (below 200% of the Federal Poverty Level) HIV+ individuals, and to assure ongoing and permanent access to medications to those individuals that are most seriously affected and most in need. Budget $12.1 million in State appropriations is required; no local funding is requested and no Full Time Eauivalents are required ..