AIDS Issues Update
Props to Paterson
Governor protects AIDS Institute funding; continues Medicaid reform
Gov stands by health care for poor New Yorkers
While New Yorkers fret about budget cuts, at least there was substantial good news for people living with HIV/AIDS in Paterson’s proposed 2009-10 Department of Health budget. New York’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program will continue to be fully funded, and there will be no new cuts to the AIDS Institute. In addition, the budget continues the shift from inpatient to outpatient care for Medicaid patients. Housing Works breaks down the budget details affecting all AIDS services. (For more information about the Social Services budget, see So-So Budget for Social Services).
Through a $65 million ADAP funding surplus because of drug company rebates and federal funding, the State DOH determined that it could institute a one-time reduction to the state share of ADAP funding, while still being able to provide AIDS medication for all New Yorkers. This temporary funding shift prevented cuts to AIDS Institute services—so crucial support services will stay in tact. The AIDS Institute develops and funds HIV prevention and health care programs, educates the public and health care providers, formulates policy and directs regional and statewide HIV/AIDS planning.
“This was a smart, creative move to maintain the highest quality of care,” said Housing Works Vice President of New York Advocacy and Organizing terri smith-caronia.
Medicaid matters
Another great decision on the Governor’s part is a proposed shift in millions of dollars in Medicaid savings for 2009-2010 to direct much-needed Medicaid dollars away from hospitals and toward front-line community care, greatly expanding access to health care for New York’s neediest. The State proposes investing in additional ambulatory care to augment hospital, community, mental hygiene and substance abuse clinic rates and support other primary care enhancements.
Although the Medicaid cuts are bad for hospital execs, who will miss their bloated reimbursement rates, the new policies will help community-based organizations and patients. These cuts were planned before the recession, and are being continued now.
“There’s never an excuse to spend Medicaid dollars for anything other than high-quality care,” said State Medicaid Director Deborah Bachrach. “It’s more important than ever to do during an economic recession.”
Patient advocates agree. “We are pleased that the ‘patient first’ agenda that has been moving New York toward a more efficient and effective health care system is being continued. Spending Medicaid dollars more wisely becomes even more urgent in the face of a fiscal crisis,” said Denise Soffel, Medicaid Matters New York coordinator and health policy coordinator at the National Center for Law and Economic Justice.
Between 60,000 and 70,000 New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS depend on Medicaid for health care. More than 100,000 New Yorkers are living with HIV/AIDS, nearly 10 percent of the U.S. total.
More good news
Hospitals, nursing homes, geriatric day programs and diagnostic treatment centers will forgo their typical trend factor increase. An interesting twist is that this year, AIDS Adult Day Healthcare Centers (ADHCs) are also in line for a trend factor of zero and a permanent trend factor in years to come. While ADHCs won’t benefit this year, assuming the Legislature agrees, in flusher budgetary times, ADHCs won’t have to fight for what is essentially a cost-of-living increase and instead receive them automatically. The most recent ADHC trend factor is set to expire in 2009.
Another exciting development: Paterson proposed the Healthcare Efficiency and Affordability Law for New Yorkers (HEAL NY) be extended for two years for an additional investment of $650 million, bringing the total investment in this program to $1.7 billion. HEAL supports healthcare projects to upgrade information and healthcare technology, hopefully providing better, more efficient care for all New Yorkers.
Also, in the Health Department budget is increasing food bank funding to $4.4 million. In these economically horrible times, this will allow food banks to feed the growing number of hungry New Yorkers.
