---------- Forwarded message ----------
From: Michael Cole <Michael.Cole@...>
Date: Nov 3, 2005 3:40 PM
Subject: Senate Passes Common-Sense HIV Treatment Bill
To: HRC-NEWS@...

NEWS from the Human Rights Campaign
For Immediate Release - Thursday, Nov. 3, 2005

Contact: Steven Fisher  | Phone: (202) 216-1547 | Cell: (202) 431-7608
Contact: Brad Luna | Phone: (202) 216-1514 | Cell: (202) 812-8140

Senate Passes Common-Sense HIV Treatment Bill

"No American should have to be diagnosed with AIDS before they get
access to AIDS-preventing drugs," said Human Rights Campaign President
Joe Solmonese.

WASHINGTON - The U.S. Senate passed legislation today that will save
lives as well as save the federal Medicaid program millions of dollars
in long-term care costs by allowing states to provide Medicaid coverage
to low-income, HIV-positive Americans.  The bill, which creates
"demonstration projects" under Medicaid, is similar to the Early
Treatment for HIV Act (ETHA) and was introduced by Sens. Gordon Smith,
R-Ore. and Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., as an amendment to the budget
reconciliation package.  It passed the full Senate by a voice vote.
       "No American should have to be diagnosed with AIDS before they
get access to AIDS-preventing drugs," said Human Rights Campaign
President Joe Solmonese. "Countless Americans' lives can be improved if
this common-sense legislation becomes law."
       Currently a person with asymptomatic HIV infection is not
eligible for Medicaid until he or she has progressed to full blown AIDS.
Without Medicaid coverage, many low-income Americans are left without
the critical care and medication needed to help slow the progression of
the HIV.  Only after developing AIDS does Medicaid coverage become
available - significantly impacting a person's quality of life and
increasing the long-term cost of care and treatment.
       A recent study by PriceWaterhouseCoopers found that ETHA will
delay disease progression, increase life expectancy, and is cost
effective. The study's findings include:
* Over 10 years, ETHA would reduce the death rate for persons with HIV
who would qualify for Medicaid by 50 percent.
* Over 10 years, disease progression would be significantly slowed and
health outcomes improved.
* In a 10-year time period, savings could reduce Medicaid treatment
costs by 70 percent, accounting for close to $1.5 billion in savings.
       "Senators Gordon Smith and Hillary Clinton have shown tremendous
leadership in their efforts to pass this important bill," added
Solmonese. "We'll continue to work alongside our allies to ensure that
every American has access to HIV/AIDS prevention tools as well as health
care that would delay the onset of AIDS and treat the disease."

The Human Rights Campaign is the largest national lesbian, gay, bisexual
and transgender political organization with members throughout the
country. It effectively lobbies Congress, provides campaign support and
educates the public to ensure that LGBT Americans can be open, honest
and safe at home, at work and in the community.

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