Proposed Cuts To Free AIDS Drugs Restored
Some 960 HIV-positive patients in New
Jersey are no longer in jeopardy of losing free AIDS medications
because of state budget cuts.
Gov. Chris Christie announced on Thursday that the state will
receive $5 million in additional rebates from drug companies,
preventing those patients from losing the free drugs.
Those patients were at risk because the new budget enacted this
month will change income eligibility from $54,150 to $32,490 on
Aug. 1.
More than 35,000 people in New Jersey are living with HIV or
AIDS.
The state medication program enrolled 7,645 people last year.
Most are uninsured.
State health officials say New Jersey had been one of only five
states to extend eligibility to those up to five times the federal
poverty level.
Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.
|
E-Mail
Print
Good Time Oldies
