September 17, 2009

Arkansas Cuts Back on State HIV/AIDS Programs Due to Lack of Funding

More than 200 people living with HIV/AIDS in Arkansas have received letters informing them that starting next year their HIV medications will not be paid for through state assistance programs, 4029tv.com reports. Officials say a 54 percent jump in enrollment since last year and insufficient federal funding have forced these programs to scale back coverage.

“I think it’s inhumane. I think it is unfair for people to play Russian roulette with our health,” said one HIV-positive Arkansas resident, who wished to remain anonymous. “To take medication away from someone that is already battling a disease like this—it’s unfair. It’s not right.”

According to the article, the cuts will only affect HIV-positive people living 200 percent above the federal poverty line. Ed Barham, a public information officer for the Arkansas Department of Health, said the state is pursuing other opportunities to help patients pay for their medications, which can cost up to $1,500 per month.

“We’re looking for other ways that we can help individual patients get qualified for those and other programs in every way we can,” Barham said.

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Previous Comments:

florence okoh, nigeria/lagos, 2009-09-23 16:51:01
this is nt fair, bcs it will affect the health of the patients expetially those that are lessprevillege like us, i guess it wont affect us here in nigeria,bco we are benefiting from the americans{havard} pls the government shld do something abt it,bcs in africa nigeria expecially cant afford the drugs,thanks very much,pls hope to hear from you.

mbwants, , 2009-09-23 07:12:21
Any of these people should contact the Drug Companies with the help of a Case Manager or a Social Worker for low cost HIV Drugs and my Atripla cost around $1300 per month, my co-pay is 3.10

Lon, Odessa, 2009-09-22 17:20:55
Who ever said HIV meds could cost "up to $1500" dollars doesn't know what he is talking about. The med can run over $2,000 per month. Mine run nearly $1,900 per month and I have a friend that his Atripla changes from month to month and always are from $1,850 to $1,950. When are the drug companies going to quit trying to make us pay for research that is already partially funded by the U.S. govt. and get realistic about the cost to the public?