HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute

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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Senate Appropriations leadership proposes significant increases for domestic HIV programs: CDC hepatitis program receives support

"We sincerely thank Senate Labor, HHS Appropriations Subcommittee Chair Patty Murray and her colleagues for demonstrating their continued commitment to ending HIV in the United States. The proposed increases will certainly help bring the US back on track to ending HIV," commented Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. "However, we still need a national program to increase access to PrEP. . . . If we are serious about ending HIV, we need a PrEP program now."

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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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Biden Budget Boosts Domestic HIV Funding & Proposes Nationwide PrEP Delivery Program: CDC Hepatitis Program Receives Increase

President Biden is proposing an increase of $377 million for the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. initiative for a total of $850 million for efforts to end HIV by 2030. Additionally, in response to the HIV community and several members of Congress’ request to develop a program to increase access to PrEP, which are medications that prevent HIV, the president’s budget calls for the creation of an ambitious ten-year $9.8 billion nationwide PrEP delivery program. The budget includes numerous other program increases, including a bump of $13.5 million for the CDC’s hepatitis division.

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Biden administration takes big step in making drugs affordable for patients: Also strengthens non-discrimination protections

“This is a huge win for patients. Insurers have made it almost impossible for patients to afford their medications by first requiring them to meet a high deductible and then charging high co-insurance, which is a percentage of the list price of the drug. By limiting patient copays and keeping more drugs outside of the deductible, patients will be better able to afford their medications. We only wish the Biden administration would have applied these principles to more metal levels and drug tiers, but this provides better options for people who rely on prescription drugs.”

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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

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Facebook posts by @HIV+Hep

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 7 hours ago
@HIVHep

NOVA: Ending HIV in America - Preview https://t.co/FXUVffi8Q8 via @YouTube

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 10 hours ago
@HIVHep

71 Patient Groups Comment on How Nondiscrimination in Healthcare Rule Can Improve Prescription Drug Access: https://t.co/c3KGYiDUWC

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 11 hours ago
@HIVHep

War over drug-cost assistance traps sickest patients in the middle https://t.co/lpMHzxrxyF

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute Retweeted · Eleanor Laise
@EleanorLaise

Patients with complex conditions say they can't get clear answers on the "copay accumulator" programs that can sharply increase their costs. @HIVHep @AIDSadvocacy @NHF_Hemophilia @RepMcEachin @copayscount https://t.co/DqxjZdmz3f

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 12 hours ago
@HIVHep

HIVHep’s Carl Schmid in @USATODAY: “If somebody wants to be on #PrEP, there’s a reason & you want to make it as easy as possible. We’re still hearing complaints from [around] the country from people who forego the #Rx regimen over affordability concerns”: https://t.co/w5wybqLrJ4 https://t.co/1eCxvzXqhB

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HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute · 18 hours ago
@HIVHep

SIGN ON ➡️ Join @HIVHep and @AutoimmuneAssoc in sending a letter ( https://t.co/GTRj544F6R) to HHS re: a proposed rule to restore nondiscrimination protections in healthcare. Patient groups, fill out this form to add your voice, deadline today at 12pm ET: https://t.co/ZdtAwikKlQ https://t.co/xqf4foGB3C

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Patient groups file suit to end policy that prohibits copay assistance from counting toward patients' out-of-pocket spending

Senate Appropriations leadership proposes significant increases for domestic HIV programs: CDC hepatitis program receives support

Ending Hepatitis is something we can all do every day

Biden Budget Boosts Domestic HIV Funding & Proposes Nationwide PrEP Delivery Program: CDC Hepatitis Program Receives Increase

Biden administration takes big step in making drugs affordable for patients: Also strengthens non-discrimination protections

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

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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