HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute

Federal Government Issues Guidance to Insurers on Coverage of HIV Prevention Drugs

The federal government issued guidance to insurers to remind them of their obligation to cover pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP), which are drugs that prevent HIV, at no cost to their beneficiaries. The guidance, in the form of an FAQ, also clarifies that associated services with PrEP, such as provider visits and HIV, hepatitis, and STD testing along with other laboratory tests, must also be covered with no patient cost-sharing.

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We can end hepatitis C. Why aren’t we?

We have the tools to eliminate hepatitis C. We even have a Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan developed by the HHS that provides a roadmap to eliminate hepatitis. To our great shame, we have not dedicated sufficient resources to implement it. The White House and Congress must no longer turn a blind eye to the suffering of people living with hepatitis C. We must commit the resources necessary to end the hepatitis C epidemic.

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Biden budget proposes increased funding for ending HIV

As the world marks the 40th anniversary of the CDC’s first reporting on what we now know to be AIDS, President Joe Biden is proposing in his budget released Friday to continue to ramp up efforts to finally end HIV in the United States. In addition to the increase of $267 million for domestic HIV testing, prevention, and treatment programs as part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, which was announced as part of the preliminary budget, Biden is proposing a $46 million increase to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Programs and $20 million for HUD’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program.

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House Supports Significant Funding Increases for Domestic HIV Programs--Minimal Increase for Hepatitis Programs

The US House of Representatives is proposing to significantly increase funding to continue to ramp up efforts to end HIV in the United States. In addition to an increase of $245 million for domestic HIV testing, prevention, and treatment programs as part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, which matches the amount proposed in President Joe Biden’s budget, the Appropriations Committee in its FY22 Labor, HHS appropriations bill is proposing an $146 million increase to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, (+$100 million over Biden’s budget) and $190 million more for NIH AIDS Research that was not included in the president’s budget. The House is only including an increase of $5 million for CDC’s hepatitis division for a total of $44.5 million.

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HIV+Hep welcomes release of HIV national strategic plan

Washington DC… The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute applauds the release of the HIV National Strategic Plan: A Roadmap to End the Epidemic by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services…

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124 patient groups urge Biden administration to improve prescription drug affordability

The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute and American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, in collaboration with 122 other patient and provider organizations, delivered a sign-on letter to U.S. Department of Health and Human Services Secretary Xavier Becerra that urges HHS and the Biden administration to enact policies and protections that improve prescription drug affordability for the American people.

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Who We Are

Monitors policies that impact the prevention and treatment of HIV, viral hepatitis, and other health conditions in the United States.

Communicates with members of the HIV, hepatitis, and other patient group communities on key policy issues that impact their access to healthcare.

Educates policymakers and members of the media about efforts to end both HIV and hepatitis in the United States and to improve access to quality and affordable healthcare for people with or at risk of serious or chronic health conditions.

Causes We Care About, and So Should You!

HIV

Promote necessary funding, programs, and policies to end the HIV epidemic in the United States

HEPATITIS

Promote necessary funding, programs, and policies to end viral hepatitis in the United States

HEALTHCARE ACCESS

Promote necessary funding, programs, and policies to end viral hepatitis in the United States

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Facebook posts by @HIV+Hep

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute2 weeks ago

Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, cautions that even if a potential HIV vaccine candidate is identified soon, it will take time to test it in clinical trials and roll it out to the world.

“In the meantime, we...

An early stage clinical trial of an mRNA-based HIV vaccine could begin this month, according to the U.S. National Library of Medicine clinical trial registry.

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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute3 weeks ago

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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute3 weeks ago

Writing in STAT, @HIVHep’s Carl Schmid warns, “If federal & state regulators don’t hold plans accountable for covering #PrEP, people at risk of #HIV will continue to face unnecessary financial & coverage barriers to treatment that...

The medication known as PrEP can prevent HIV. Insurers are supposed to cover it at no cost to patients. Some aren't doing that.

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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute3 weeks ago

The COVID-19 pandemic has led to a troubling rise in related public health threats, including an increase in opioid overdoses and incidence of the hepatitis C virus (HCV). Unfortunately, Kentucky

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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute3 weeks ago

In the endless debate over how to lower the cost of prescription medicines, Congress and the Biden administration are largely focused on reining in the prices set by drugmakers. But states are turning their sights to another player in the supply chain: pharmacy benefit managers.

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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute3 weeks ago

Great video on the history of how pharmacies work. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Sx_V9ts7Jrk

Concerns over prescription drug prices have grown into a big political issue, with nearly one in four Americans saying it's difficult to afford their medicat...

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Tweets by @HIV+Hep

HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute @HIVHep

30 minutes ago
In @statnews, @HIVHep’s Carl Schmid writes that the #ACA requirement for private insurers to cover essential preventative care at no cost to #patients must be enforced to remove unnecessary financial & coverage barriers for patients: https://t.co/IPGobUf62Y

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute @HIVHep

2 hours ago
At @SYNC2021, @HIVHep’s Carl Schmid discussed whether insurers are abiding by the #ACA requirement to offer #PrEP w/o cost-sharing, upcoming advances in #PrEP, federal programs needed to expand #PrEP for all who need it: https://t.co/yOeiB8023a https://t.co/jlivbgGAB4

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In reply toRachana D. Pradhan

3 hours ago
@rachanadixit @KHNews @NPR We also don’t have a nominee for #HRSA

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In reply toHIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute

4 hours ago
@HIVHep’s Carl Schmid on patient groups urging CMS to require insurers to offer plans w/o deductibles: “We’re not saying that every single plan has to have nominal cost-sharing & drugs outside the deductible. We’re just saying that you have to offer some”: https://t.co/o5mT8t5D9X https://t.co/qHMcJsRBqK

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute @HIVHep

5 hours ago
New, long-acting, & superior #PrEP is being considered by the @FDA. @HIVHep encourages orgs to join in urging the USPSTF to conduct an expedited review: https://t.co/5y7sBnuEHK. To sign the letter, go to https://t.co/oEI9qQ2I5C by noon ET, 9/30. https://t.co/UWD6juyBU4

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute Retweeted · Adam J. Fein @DrugChannels

7 hours ago
EXCLUSIVE: The #340B Program Soared to $38 Billion in 2020—Up 27% vs. 2019 (rerun)

==> https://t.co/4Ik8yWMU4p <==

340B purchases > #Medicaid outpatient #drug sales 🤯

#facts #FOIA https://t.co/5c7i7bm3O8

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Federal Government Issues Guidance to Insurers on Coverage of HIV Prevention Drugs

We can end hepatitis C. Why aren’t we?

Biden budget proposes increased funding for ending HIV

House Supports Significant Funding Increases for Domestic HIV Programs--Minimal Increase for Hepatitis Programs

HIV+Hep welcomes release of HIV national strategic plan

124 patient groups urge Biden administration to improve prescription drug affordability

Who We Are

HIV

HEPATITIS

HEALTHCARE ACCESS

Facebook posts by @HIV+Hep

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute

Tweets by @HIV+Hep

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