It’s about Two Events — One all over Virginia — One in Washington
Good Morning!
Today, I'm writing to bring to your attention TWO events …
IN VIRGINIA …..
Our state legislature is not finished with our next Biennial Budget yet!
What does that mean for HIV/AIDS services?? Well, I'm asking you to focus on one item that will be important to folks who are both Medicare and ADAP participants.
If you are on Medicare, and also use ADAP — Virginia's AIDS Drug Assistance Program — You will soon be required to use Medicare Part D to receive your medicines. The problem arises when the costs of your medications exceeds the first limit for drug coverage — Then you are responsible for the costs of medicines yourself.
VORA proposed to the General Assembly that a special program be created to assist those folks during that period each year — what some folks call the "donut hole" period — when Medicare Part D participants must find other means to pay for medicines.? (And ADAP is not available to Medicare Part D participants.)
This proposal will allow state funds to be used to buy special health insurance plans that reduce the participants "out of pocket" costs for medicines.
The Senate approved — the House did not.
So NOW that the budget conferees are still working out the differences, we are recommending that you contact your DELEGATE (and thank your Senator) to support this proposal.
PLEASE ASK FOR SUPPORT FROM THE "BUDGET CONFEREES" FOR THIS BUDGET ITEM …
Item 289 #7s $300,000 Each Year
This amendment provides funding to create a state pharmaceutical assistance program (SPAP) to cover the cost of prescription drugs that are not covered by the Medicare Part D program for HIV positive individuals. The SPAP will pay individual's premiums, coinsurance and coverage for prescription drug expenses in the so-called donut hole, the gap in Medicare coverage between $2,850 and $5,100 for some beneficiaries with incomes above 150 percent of the federal poverty level. In addition, Medicare Part D requires individuals with income between 135 percent and 150 percent of poverty to pay 15 percent of their annual prescription drug expenses up to $5,100 in total expenditures, before qualifying for full coverage. It is estimated this would cost persons living with HIV/AIDS $200 to $300 per month. This program would help to ensure that medications are continuously available without interruption for persons living with HIV/AIDS who require medication to maintain health and prevent more costly illnesses.
"Who do I call or email? Who's My Delegate?" Look here and you'll get the answer….
conview.state.va.us/whosmy.nsf/main?openform
NOW … on to Washington …..
Congress is considering the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act right now. Visits to Washington by Virginians to tell how very important this funding is to prevention and treatment services.
Joining AIDSWatch 2006 is as easy as 1-2-3:
1. Commit to participating as an AIDSWatch participant this year on May 8-10.
2. Register at en.groundspring.org/EmailNow/pub.php?module=URLTracker&cmd=track&j=66213423&u=610744 for AIDSWatch
3. Decide if you can come to DC (That's FUN!)? OR? if you will visit your Congressmen's office near your home.
Coming to Washington? You should arrive the night before to be ready for the advocacy training which begins bright and early on Monday, May 8 at the NEA Auditorium at 16th & M Streets NW. Appointments for visits with Congressmen and their staff are set for you, and we all visit together. Details will be available to you in Washington.
Staying home? Look up your Congressmen's phone number in the local phone book, give them a call and ask when is the best time to visit. You will meet with a local staff person there.
The coordinator for Virginia is Wade Menear and he may be contacted by email at wmenear@comcast.net
Still want to know more? Visit VORAonline.org and read all about it!