As goes Ohio, so could the nation. The Ohio Health Department is putting up a strong fight to lower the federal poverty limit from its height of 500% in July 2010, lowered to 300% at that time, to now have the ability to implement a potential income eligibility change to as low as 100% FPL at anytime with no notice to anyone with a stroke of pen. If that rule had gone into effect, it would mean in order to qualify for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program a single individual cannot make more than $10,890 a year. Further, ODH could implement medical criteria one must also meet. Those given the highest priority will be PLWHA with CD4 counts lower than 201. The medical criteria make no mention of an important aspect of HIV care: viral load.

Back in December 2011, three Ohio HIV-positive advocates with the assistance of the AIDS Healthcare Foundation won an injunction to these proposed rule changes in the Franklin County, Ohio Court of Common Pleas, resetting the FPL to 300%. ODH had proposed one set of rules, had a hearing, and then changed the rules to the above without telling anyone. The judge had ordered ODH to go back to the drawing board ... and they did. The end result is the terrible rules listed above.

If the Ohio Health Department gets their way and decides to lower the income limit to 100% FPL, nearly 2,600 of Ohio's PLWHA will be forced off of ADAP (half of the program), and countless others who will become newly infected will have no access to the medicine they need. PLWHA no matter what their socioeconomic background should be privy to medicine that will keep them alive and healthy.

Is this not the reason behind these medications? With today's medicine PLWHA can lead long, productive lives; they are at less risk of developing an opportunistic infection, and in 2011 a ground-breaking study came out that stated those on antiretroviral therapy are 96 percent less likely to pass the virus to their partner.

We must not let Ohio implement these rules on the backs of the poor and vulnerable, especially those living with a potentially life-threatening disease such as HIV/AIDS. After 30 years of this epidemic, we must continue in our efforts to fight for all PLWHA!

How you can help:

Anyone from around the United States can send an email to HCS@odh.ohio.gov emphasizing your concern of these proposed changes. In the subject line use: Rule 3701-44-03.

Click to see the Medical Rule Criteria proposed.

Click to see the proposed changes to financial eligibility.

Send Kevin an email.

Get e-mail notifications every time Kevin's blog is updated.

ADAP Waiting List Update: 31 People in 3 States as of April 11 2012 National ADAP Monitoring Project Annual Report: Module One (PDF) More Viewpoints on U.S. ADAP Funding

BLOG:
Rising Up and Speaking Out About HIV and Hepatitis C

Random things about me: I am kind, caring, respectful and wanting to make a difference/impact in the World. I've been to Australia, New Zealand and 13 countries in Europe, and have traveled and lived all over the United States. I have a Bachelor's degree in Health Services Management and will be working towards my Master's In Public Health. I am an uncle of two of the MOST adorable girls in the World, and have one brother. I am a Momma's boy, and it is hard to see my mother's health in such a deteriorated state -- she has severe COPD (from 40 years of smoking). In March 2010 I was told that I have HIV and a month later, with follow-up labs, was then told I also acquired hepatitis C (not through IV drug use). I aspire to great things. Stay tuned.

Check out Kevin's YouTube channel!

Recent Posts:

View All Posts

A Brief Disclaimer:

The opinions expressed by TheBody.com's bloggers are entirely their own, and do not necessarily reflect the views of TheBody.com itself.

New! TheBody.com App My Health Tracker Medication and Health Reminders Assess Your Risk for HIV Follow Us: Facebook, Twitter, RSS U.S. ASO Finder

The Body: About The Body | Contact The Body | Content Policy | Content Providers | Advertise With Us | Site Map

Remedy Health Media: About Remedy Health Media | Contact Remedy Health Media | Terms of Use | Privacy Policy

The Body is a service of Remedy Health Media, LLC, 500 5th Avenue, 19th Floor, New York, NY 10110. The Body and its logos are trademarks of Remedy Health Media, LLC, and its subsidiaries, which owns the copyright of The Body's homepage, topic pages, page designs and HTML code. General Disclaimer: The Body is designed for educational purposes only and is not engaged in rendering medical advice or professional services. The information provided through The Body should not be used for diagnosing or treating a health problem or a disease. It is not a substitute for professional care. If you have or suspect you may have a health problem, consult your health care provider.