Proposed Change to Medicaid Drug Coverage Would Hurt People Living with HIV

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Media Contacts:
Krishna Stone | 212.367.1016

New York, NY — Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) urges the New York State legislature to firmly oppose the proposal to subject HIV anti-retrovirals, anti-psychotics, anti-rejection drugs and anti-depressants to prior approval.

"Most of our 11,000 clients rely on Medicaid because of limited income," said Janet Weinberg, Chief Operating Officer of GMHC.  "The change would force poor people living with HIV to use generics.  Since most HIV medications are not yet available in generic form, this may relegate poor people with HIV to more difficult health care scenarios."

HIV/AIDS treatment can be very complicated given severe side effects and interactions with other medications. The proposed change to New York State Medicaid regulations would add another layer of bureaucracy and delay for patients and physicians in prescribing and accessing these medications.

"Our clients and their health care providers already struggle with the Medicaid maze.  We cannot support proposals that will reduce access and create unnecessary barriers to care,"  concluded Weinberg.

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GMHC is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the fight against AIDS.  We provide prevention and care services to men, women and families that are living with, or affected by, HIV/AIDS in New York City.  We advocate for scientific, evidence-based public health solutions for hundreds of thousands worldwide.