Texas court decision on PrEP must not stand: Preventing HIV is a public health imperative

Washington DC… In reaction to the ruling today in Braidwood Management v. Becerra by Judge Reed O’Connor from the U.S. Northern District of Texas, Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute issued the following statement:

“We are not surprised by Judge O’Connor’s decision.  He has a long history of issuing rulings against the Affordable Care Act and LGBT individuals, and we expect the case to be successfully appealed as has been the case with his previous discriminatory decisions.  Preventive services covered by private insurance plans without cost- sharing, such as HIV testing, hepatitis B and C testing, and PrEP, are all critical and well-established public health preventive services that must continue. To single out PrEP, which are FDA approved drugs that effectively prevent HIV, and conclude that its coverage violates the religious freedom of certain individuals, is plain wrong, highly discriminatory, and impedes the public health of our nation.  PrEP is not just for gay men, but for anyone who may be at risk of HIV. In fact, according to the CDC, of the 1.2 million people who might benefit from PrEP, over half are heterosexual. We as a nation must do all we can to prevent HIV, no matter whom it may impact.  We look forward to a successful appeal of this decision.” 

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The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute is a national, non-profit organization whose mission is to promote quality and affordable healthcare for people living with or at risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other serious and chronic health conditions.