The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute is urging lawmakers to question Mehmet Oz, the Trump administration’s pick to lead CMS, on whether he would enforce Affordable Care Act (ACA) preventative services mandates, uphold a court’s ruling on copay accumulators and oppose limiting drug coverage for Medicare Part D’s six protected classes. Confirmation hearings for Oz are expected to be scheduled soon after he filed ethics disclosures this week.
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In Kennedy’s confirmation hearing, he said he believes HIV causes AIDS, contrary to his previous statements. “To deliver on the promise of eradicating HIV will require a commitment to science, properly funded public health treatment and prevention programs, and policies that support all populations impacted by HIV,” Carl Schmid added.” It will also require access to affordable and comprehensive health coverage, including private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare.”
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“We stand ready to work with Secretary Kennedy as he and President Trump seek to improve the health of the American people. Ending infectious and chronic diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis, must be a vital component in the administration’s initiatives,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute in a statement. “We were pleased that Kennedy went on record during his confirmation process and stated, ‘I look forward to continuing the good work that President Trump did in his pursuit to eradicate HIV/AIDS.’” (In Trump’s first term, he launched the national initiative “Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America,” which aimed to lower new HIV rates by 75% by 2025 and by 90% by 2030.)
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“To deliver on the promise of eradicating HIV will require a commitment to science, properly funded public health treatment and prevention programs, and policies that support all populations impacted by HIV,” Carl Schmid continues. “It will also require access to affordable and comprehensive health coverage, including private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare.”
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“While this action is certainly welcome, the fact remains that Harvard Pilgrim removed lifesaving HIV drugs from its coverage formulary, disrupted the treatment of people living with HIV and violated the nondiscrimination protections [of the Affordable Care Act (ACA), or Obamacare],” said Carl Schmid, executive director of HIV+Hep. “This demonstrates the need for greater oversight of the health insurance industry and enforcement of the safeguards in place to protect patients against the abuse of insurers.”