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Abstract
Ryan white care act (CARE Act): what is the impact of the policies on local programs in western Palm Beach County, Florida
M. Greene1, R. Wiewora2
Background:
HIV/AIDS infected individuals do not utilize services equally. Reports indicate disparities by gender, race, risk behavior and insurance status in adult HIV-infected individuals in the US.
Ryan White Act (CARE Act) provides emergency assistance to localities disproportionately affected by AIDS. The AIDS case counts used to guide the distribution of funds result in the under funding of areas with emerging HIV epidemic because all HIV cases are not included in the calculations.
The CARE Act improves quality, access, and outcome but does not result in equalize services provided to all the vulnerable populations.
Methods:
This is a retrospective study of Ryan White utilization by Palm Beach County zip codes for 2001-2005. The authors analyzed the annual Ryan White utilization reports for the four year period.
Results:
For the period under review (2001-2005), HIV/AIDS infected individuals with Palm Beach County Zip Codes incurred a cost of $8,103,963.00 for prescription drugs under the Care Act. Utilization costs vary by zip codes. Costs incurred by residents from the three western Palm Beach zip codes (33430, 33476, 33493) represented only 2% ($161,581) of the total cost for prescription drugs.
Conclusions:
There are systemic disparities (including geographic and social) in HIV/AIDS treatment and care in resource constrained setting in western Palm Beach County. Patient population is disproportionately black, female, heterosexual and poor. Ryan White Care Act helps to improve accessibility, quality, and outcomes for vulnerable populations with HIV but not necessarily equalized service utilization. The current CARE act policy does not necessarily allow for adequate compensation for areas providing early access and care.
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference
Abstract no.
THPE0894
Suggested Citation
"M.Greene, et al.
Ryan white care act (CARE Act): what is the impact of the policies on local programs in western Palm Beach County, Florida.
:
AIDS 2006 - XVI International AIDS Conference:
Abstract no.
THPE0894"
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