The CDC’s latest “National HIV Surveillance System Report,” which examines statistics from 2015 to 2019, brings renewed attention to the racial inequities in the HIV crisis despite a drop in new HIV infections in the US.
There has never been a better time to raise awareness of the hidden Hepatitis C epidemic and encourage individuals to learn their status. Without dramatic improvements in HCV testing access, we will not reach the HCV elimination goals laid out in the Viral Hepatitis National Strategic Plan.
A letter signed by 124 patient advocacy groups and sent to the Biden administration urges federal officials to make prescription drugs more affordable. What’s more, the letter lays out five steps the White House can take to reach this goal. Spearheaded by the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute and the American Autoimmune Related Diseases Association, the letter was signed by organizations representing people with health issues ranging from diabetes and cancer to lupus, hepatitis and HIV. It was sent April 23 to Secretary of Health and Human Services Xavier Becerra.
“Under Michael [Kharfen]’s leadership, D.C. was instrumental in pioneering many new innovations in preventing and treating HIV that were later adopted by other jurisdictions,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the D.C.-based HIV-Hepatitis Institute. “And if you look at the results, I think it demonstrates success,” Schmid said. “I do not know any details of his departure, but I know he will be missed not only in D.C. but across the country,” Schmid told the Blade.
HIV+Hep is part of a coalition of patients and providers called the All Copays Count Coalition that lobbied for a bipartisan bill, which had the support of 34 House lawmakers, to undo the copay accumulator policy. Given that taxpayers subsidize Obamacare plans, it’s in the government’s interest to let insurers undermine copay coupons, but people who take expensive drugs are caught in the middle. Deductibles are increasing. Next year, out-of-pocket costs for Obamacare plans will be $9,100 for an individual and $18,200 for all others, according to HIV+Hep.