Congress Lifts Ending HIV Epidemic Initiative Funding by $100 Million: Minimal Increase for CDC Hepatitis Activities

Congressional appropriators have released the final FY2023 appropriations bill and have increased funding for the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative by $100 million for a total of $613 million, according to the Appropriations Committee. While far short of the $330 million increase proposed in President Biden’s budget, it does provide increases to ramp up domestic HIV testing, prevention, and treatment programs in order to end HIV.
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HIV Organizations File Discrimination Complaints Against North Carolina Blue Cross Blue Shield

HIV+Hep & NCAAN filed ACA discrimination complaints against North Carolina Blue Cross/Blue Shield for placing almost all HIV drugs, including generics like PrEP, on the highest drug tiers. The complaints were filed with the North Carolina Department of Insurance and the US HHS Office of Civil Rights.
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HIV+Hep releases report detailing funding needed to increase PrEP uptake

The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute has released a report modeling the resources needed to fund a national PrEP program to cover the cost of medications, associated labs, and prescriber time for the uninsured along with necessary provider and community outreach to increase uptake, estimating the cost at $521 million for the first year and $6.18 billion over ten years.
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Patient groups file suit to end policy that prohibits copay assistance from counting toward patients' out-of-pocket spending

The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Insite, the Diabetes Leadership Council, and the Diabetes Patient Advocacy Coalition filed suit in the U.S. District Court for the District of Columbia challenging a federal rule that allows health insurers and pharmacy benefits managers to avoid counting drug manufacturer copay assistance toward patients’ out-of-pocket cost obligations. Due to increased deductibles and cost-sharing requirements, patients rely on copay assistance to help them afford their prescription drugs.
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Ending Hepatitis is something we can all do every day

“To end infectious diseases, we always need more scientific advances, but it is going to take a strategic, coordinated, & resourced public health response. Fortunately, we now have national strategic plans to end several infectious diseases including viral hepatitis, HIV, & STIs. A strength included in all the plans is a reliance on taking a syndemic approach to these often intersecting epidemics. Together we can get to the finish line faster.”
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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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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

Learn More

Facebook posts by @HIV+Hep

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute1 day ago

https://dchealth.dc.gov/release/mayor-bowser-and-dc-health-highlight-resources-residents-black-hivaids-awareness-day

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
https://mayor.dc.gov/liveResidents Can Receive Free Condoms, PrEP and PEP, or HIV/STI Test Kits at sexualbeing.org.
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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute2 days ago

The bill would ensure that health plans count copay assistance and coupons toward the patient's maximum out-of-pocket cost or annual deductible.

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
The bill would ensure that health plans count copay assistance and coupons toward the patient's maximum out-of-pocket cost or annual deductible.
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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute3 days ago

The HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute commented: “[W]e offer our strong support of adding #HIV/AIDS as one of the chronic conditions to be included in the #MedicarePartD Medication Therapy Management (MTM) prog. . . . MTM provided by pharmacists...

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute3 days ago

A must read for a new and growing practice impacting prescription drug access. Alternative funding programs. Our government leaders must stop this!

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
Self-insured employers, perhaps even yours, are being presented with programs called “specialty carve-outs” as an opportunity for saving significant money on the drug portion of their employee benefits.
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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute3 days ago

“Often times this is not a sufficient number of drugs to meet the needs of patients with complex and severe health conditions,” according to the letter which includes groups such as the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute and the Alliance for Patient Access.

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
Insurers pressed the Biden administration not to add new responsibilities for payers under the Affordable Care Act’s (ACA's) essential health benefits. | Payers are calling for CMS in a request for comments to limit any changes to the ACA's essential health benefits regulation, but providers...
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HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute5 days ago

https://www.healthaffairs.org/content/forefront/smoothing-part-d-out-pocket-costs-under-inflation-reduction-act?utm_medium=email&utm_source=hat&utm_campaign=HAT+2+3+2023&utm_content=forefront&vgo_ee=DOaMImgKjk90tRut7WyMV6yBgpvWDYICuRoV0Noifuk%3D

HIV and Hepatitis Policy Institute
In contrast to the current Part D benefit structure where out-of-pocket costs are typically frontloaded at the start of each calendar year, the “smoothing” option will allow Medicare beneficiaries to spread their out-of-pocket prescription costs more evenly with monthly installments. Smoothing h...
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Tweets by @HIV+Hep

HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 14 hours ago
@HIVHep
“Insurance companies should not require patients to take medications that might have severe side effects or make their condition worse, especially when a proven treatment is available,” says @SenatorHassan #safestepact #steptherapyreform https://t.co/I1O0qwyBRx https://t.co/VazcxaxRRI
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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 16 hours ago
@HIVHep
The USPSTF issued an updated grade “A” #PrEP recommendation that now includes #long-acting #injectable PrEP & necessary lab testing. @HIVHep strongly supports this recommendation. Now providers need to follow it & offer #PrEP to those who can benefit: https://t.co/wjtCPBSN0j https://t.co/aROoBzdnUD
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In reply toHIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute
@HIVHep @AutoimmuneAssoc & 48 patient orgs commented to @CMSGov on ways to improve the essential health benefits system by prohibiting #insurers from designating #Rx non-essential or taking them off-formulary & requiring patients to seek alternate funding: https://t.co/Uu4pygXwvJ https://t.co/lc6RzGb9vI
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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute Retweeted · Rep. Barbara Lee
@RepBarbaraLee
Today, I’m reintroducing my National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day resolution to raise awareness to the disproportionate impact of HIV on Black communities.

Together, we can end HIV stigma, discrimination, and criminalization and achieve the first AIDS-free generation. https://t.co/xCm0yX9E1e
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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 1 day ago
@HIVHep
Mayor Bowser and DC Health Highlight Resources for Residents on Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day | doh https://t.co/5QIDfISkkl
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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 2 days ago
@HIVHep
HIV advocates call plans from insurer Blue Cross NC ‘discriminatory’ https://t.co/kO8l87BjAB via @NCHealthNews
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