New York, NY (September 27, 2024)—More effective longer acting injectables to prevent and treat HIV transmission are forecasted to become available in the coming years. Now the work to ensure that they are accessible to the people who need them most is underway.
As part of this effort, CAI’s Technical Assistance Provider-innovation network (TAP-in), in partnership with Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute for National and Global Health and Amida Care, convened 40 HIV experts to discuss the best ways to ensure that Medicaid-eligible Americans have access to the products when they are released. The resulting “Big Ideas” policy brief was recently featured in an op-ed in STAT news.
In the op-ed, titled, “Medicaid Must Prepare to Cover Twice-Yearly HIV Prevention Injection,” authors Jeffrey Crowley, Director of the O’Neill Institute’s Center for HIV and Infectious Disease Policy, and Doug Wirth, CEO of Amida Care, describe policy recommendations including:
- Federal leadership should articulate a roadmap for integration of longer-acting therapies for HIV treatment and prevention
- States should create a level playing field for health plans, as well as support delivery system transformation and reforms
The “Big Ideas” brief is available on Georgetown Law’s O’Neill Institute website in long and short form:
- View the “Quick Take” one-pager.
- View the full seven-page “Big Ideas” issue brief.
“Big Ideas” was also the subject of a September article in POZ Magazine, “Ensuring Access to Long-Acting HIV Drugs,” and covered in Black Health Matters and HIV Specialist Magazine.
CAI’s TAP-in has been providing tailored technical assistance and resources to help key governmental agencies and service providers in 47 jurisdictions in the U.S. reduce new HIV infections since 2020. It is one of several state and national projects operated by CAI that help health care providers, community organizations, government agencies, and others strengthen their HIV services. Read more about CAI’s work to end HIV.