Our nation can eliminate both HIV and viral hepatitis, but without an infusion of new resources to accelerate our efforts, we will continue to fall short of these ambitious goals. Increased investment in surveillance, education, prevention, and care and treatment will ensure we continue to address HIV and viral hepatitis, including taking a syndemic approach to achieve maximum impact. The programs and funding increases detailed below are pivotal to our nation’s ability to end both these potentially deadly infectious diseases.
ABAC letter on the importance of federal programs and funding for ending HIV in the United States
AIDS Budget and Appropriations Coalition cochairs the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, The AIDS Institute, NASTAD, and AIDS United wrote to the House Appropriations and Senate Appropriations Committees: “While we still do not have a cure or a vaccine, we have the science and tools to eventually end HIV in the U.S. through science-based prevention & treatment progs. However, public health progs across the country must have the sufficient funding and proper policies in place.”
Comments on Medicare national coverage determination for long-acting injectable PrEP
On behalf of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, an organization dedicated to promoting quality and affordable healthcare for people living with or at risk of HIV, hepatitis, and other serious and chronic health conditions, we thank you for this opportunity to comment on a National Coverage Determination (NCD) by the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on the use of provider-administered pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). The first provider-administered medication for HIV pre-exposure prophylaxis (Apretude or cabotegravir as PrEP) was approved by the Food and Drug Administration in January 2022. In August 2022, we wrote to you on behalf of 64 organizations to request that CMS quickly and efficiently evaluate provider-administered PrEP for a National Coverage Determination, which is the only pathway to coverage under Medicare Part B. We commend CMS on moving forward with the NCD process and urge CMS to approve the NCD for provider-administered PrEP.
Comments on USPSTF draft research plan on PrEP
The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute thanks you for the opportunity to comment on the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) Draft Recommendation Statement: Prevention of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Infection: Preexposure Prophylaxis (PrEP). On October 1, 2022, HIV+Hep submitted a request, supported by 62 additional organizations, asking the USPSTF to update the existing PrEP recommendation to include long-acting injectable PrEP. We commend you for conducting and completing this timely and thorough update.
Comments on 2024 draft letter to issuers in the federally-facilitated exchanges
The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute commented on the 2024 Draft Letter to Issuers, praising CMS for planning to conduct adverse tiering review for HIV and hepatitis C medications but expressing disappointment that they continue to allow insurers to collecting copay assistance for drugs that is intended for beneficiaries.