The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services approved a request made by California to fast-track the state’s transition to Affordable Care Act (ACA) benefits following the U.S. Supreme Court’s ruling that the ACA individual mandate is constitutional, OaklandNorth reports. U.S. Representative Barbara Lee (D–Calif.) announced the approval, which means that HIV-positive Californians will no longer have to wait for an AIDS diagnosis to be eligible for antiretroviral drugs under the California Medical Assistance Program. Agencies will also have more funding available to conduct HIV testing campaigns. ACA benefits will become available to other states when the law takes effect in 2014.

To read the Oakland North article, click here.