| Abstract: | New technology and medications are making HIV a more treatable illness. However, many in the AIDS service community are frustrated by Medicaid regulations that prevent people with HIV from receiving treatment because they may not be considered disabled. Sen. Robert Torricelli (D-NJ) and Rep. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) recently sponsored legislation that would allow States to expand their Medicaid coverage to include low-income people who have HIV, however the legislation did not pass. In response, some States are beginning to pass their own legislation regarding Medicaid access. The AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts successfully lobbied the Massachusetts State legislature to expand Medicaid access to people with HIV. In addition, several other states including Tennessee and Oregon already have programs which provide low-income, HIV-positive people with coverage for clinical care. The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), a Federal program which covers medication costs but not clinical care, is also discussed. |
