April 4, 2008

MIXED NUTS IN ALBANY

Looks tasty—but there are some bad nuts in there

The 2008-2009 state health budget is basically set, and it's a mixed outcome for poor people living with HIV/AIDS. Legislators took major first steps toward meaningful Medicaid reform, but a failure to fund a long-overdue COBRA rate increase was a step backwards. And advocates still have a chance to lobby the three men in a room to "hold harmless" the New York State AIDS Institute for the across-the-board cuts hitting every aspect of the budget.

"We need Albany to know that in this economically troubled time they shouldn't decrease services for poor people," said Housing Works President and CEO Charles King. "But at the same time, it's important not to overlook the fact that the budget, with its significant health care reforms, will in the long-term have a positive impact for low-income New Yorkers living with AIDS and HIV." The majority of New Yorkers with AIDS receive Medicaid.

Chair of the Assembly Health Committee Dick Gottfried told the Gay City News, "In my years doing health budgets I've never seen anything like this. It is an enormously important shift in policy."

State Medicaid Director Deborah Bachrach expressed similar enthusiasm. "We're extremely pleased and really believe this is a historic moment," Bachrach told the Update. "This is truly going to improve services for those who most need care."

At press time, the Social Services budget was not yet finalized, but it's looking good that the restoration of SSI invisibility for disabled children in homes affected by AIDS is safe, as is 1.4 million in job training programs for poor people with HIV/AIDS though the program may be subject to a two percent cut. This is after a large protest by Housing Works outside of Bruno's office last week protesting the cuts, where 12 people were arrested

Before you read what’s good and bad in the health care budget, take a moment to help stave off the slated two percent cut to the AIDS Institute, It's not a done deal!

The AIDS Institute is slated for the across-the-board two percent budget cuts, but it's not over until the Albany bigwigs sign on the dotted line. The HIV prevention, care and support programs are needed now more than ever because each year New York State has more than 25,000 newly infected men, women and youth who are in need of services. The AIDS Institute provides life-saving services to an overwhelming number of people living with AIDS and HIV. A $2.2 million dollar budget "hit" would cripple services to poor communities impacted by AIDS and HIV.

Call Governor David Paterson (518-474-8390), Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver (518-455-3791) and Senate Majority Leader Joseph Bruno (518-455-3191) and tell them we can't afford to mess with HIV prevention, treatment and testing!

The good:

Shifting $300 million in Medicaid dollars away from expensive hospital inpatient services to outpatient services where more poor people receive care. The shift will also pay more for doctors visits that take place on nights and weekends in hopes of expanding access to care for working people.

Expansion of health care to all children in low-income families through Child Health Plus. Because President Bush didn't think that all children should have health care, New York now has to pay the entire cost of CHP. With a change in administration coming soon, hopes are high that a federal matching share may still come.

A long overdue $1.4 million rate increase for AIDS Adult Day Health Care centers despite the lack of a federal match.

$15.6 million for "Doctors Across New York," a program which would funnel doctors into rural and poor urban areas throughout the state that currently have a desperate shortage of medical professionals.

Restoring reimbursements that will ensure that neighborhood pharmacies remain an essential lifeline to sick New Yorkers.

The bad:

No rate increase for COBRA case management services. As regular Update readers know, COBRA case management is vital to health outcomes for poor New Yorkers living with AIDS. Many COBRA programs are already running a substantial deficit and in financial jeopardy. The reimbursement rate for these programs hasn't increase in nearly a decade.

The Housing Works AIDS Issues Update is reported, written and edited by Diana Scholl, David Thorpe, Phil Fox Rose, Christine Campbell, terri smith-caronia and Housing Works staff. Send your feedback, leads and story ideas to d.scholl@housingworks.org.

You can reach us by phone at 212-967-1500 x168, by fax at 212-868-4222, and by email at d.scholl@housingworks.org. Housing Works provides housing, advocacy and services to homeless people living with AIDS and HIV. Housing Works is the nation's largest community-based AIDS organization and the nation's largest minority-controlled AIDS organization.

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