Noting Massachusetts’ leading role in reducing cases of HIV while saving the state hundreds of millions of dollars in related health-care costs, the AIDS Action Committee is calling on Beacon Hill and the U.S. House Ways and Means Committee for greater investment in fighting new cases.
On April 17 Rainbow Times ran a statement from AAC Executive Director Carl Sciortino:
“[I]n recent years, the reduction in new HIV diagnoses has plateaued around 700 per year. With new breakthroughs in treatment and prevention of HIV, now is the time to make an increased investment in the HIV/AIDS line item and potentially break through the plateau in HIV diagnoses and get to zero new infections.
“Just two years ago, the FDA approved a new tool, Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), which could dramatically reduce the spread of HIV. By taking just one pill per day, those who are uniquely vulnerable to HIV infection can significantly reduce their risk. Despite its effectiveness as a prevention tool, few of those in the Commonwealth who could benefit from it even know about it. By broadly educating the public about PrEP, which is already covered by health insurers, Massachusetts once again has a unique opportunity to lead the nation in HIV treatment, education, and prevention.
“Meanwhile, the work of improving the health of those already living with HIV must continue. Since 2000, the numbers of those living with HIV in the state has increased 49 percent. These are some of the Commonwealth’s most vulnerable residents: Black and Latino men and women; gay and bisexual men; transgender women; people who are homeless, particularly young people; and those who are incarcerated.
“In Massachusetts, public spending should be aligned with effective, successful programs. Such programs not only improve lives, but yield a substantial return on investment. Since 2000, HIV diagnoses in Massachusetts have been cut by 41 percent, which has meant that thousands of people who might have become HIV positive have been spared the risks to health that can come with HIV. The state, meanwhile, will save an estimated $1.7 billion in avoided HIV-related health care costs.
“In FY2016, we need an investment of $35.2 million in the HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis line item (4512-0103). This would include $1 million in increased funding for HIV prevention, including scaling up public education efforts around the efficacy of PrEP; $1 million to support the growing need for support services and to connect people living with HIV to care; and $1 million to fund the Hepatitis C initiative adopted by the legislature last year to increase Hepatitis C surveillance, testing, and access to treatment.
“Such investment in public health is what smart governance looks like. It’s what we have come to expect from our lawmakers in Massachusetts, and it’s what taxpayers deserve.”
