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Campaign “8 in 8” Budget Request

GOALS
1. Reduce the economic costs of HIV to the State of South Carolina.
2. Ensure early access to HIV care and treatment for all persons with HIV disease in South Carolina.

OBJECTIVE

Obtain $8 million in FY08 of new, recurring state funds for HIV treatment and care:

• $5 million for DHEC’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)
• $3 million for core HIV care and services

How will the $8 million be used?

• The AIDS Drug Treatment Program (ADAP) provides HIV medications to persons < 300% of poverty. ADAP served 3,054 persons in South Carolina in 2005. Federal funding for ADAP has not kept pace with the increasing number of clients served.

$5 million recurring funds will supplement federal ADAP funds to ensure there is no wait list and to meet projected demand due to newly diagnosed persons, current ADAP clients living longer/staying healthy, and due to newer, more effective drugs being approved by FDA (which can increase program costs).

• HIV care services are provided by physicians, community health centers, AIDS Service Organizations, University of S.C. Department of Medicine, MUSC, and hospitals. About 9,000 persons living with HIV in South Carolina received care services from federal Ryan White-funded providers in 2005.
• S.C. received about $1 million less federal funding in 2006 for care services than in 2005. Many providers are operating on deficits ranging from $85,000 to over $400,000. Services such as laboratory/diagnostic tests, transportation (to medical appointments), emergency financial assistance (for medications), housing and supportive services have been reduced. Specialty referrals are diminished (cardiac, optic, dental, etc).

$3 million recurring funds for core HIV services is needed to ensure 100% access to ADAP/HIV treatments. HIV providers need a base level of funds to care for patients, determine when to begin treatments, and help minimize side effects of medicines. $3 million will be used to restore funding levels and provide core service needs for an increasing number of patients.

• $8 million can help ensure 100% access to HIV medications. 100% access to HIV medications is cost-saving. Early treatment and care will save S.C. millions in the total cost of HIV illness. 100% access to HIV treatments for the 368 persons on the ADAP wait list as of 1-9-07 can result in annual cost- savings over $8 million for increased medical care costs to treat advanced disease.