U.S. Conference on AIDS – More Highlights from Day 2
At the annual U.S. Conference on AIDS on Monday, Dr. Grant Colfax, Director of the White House Office of National AIDS Policy (ONAP), offered a plenary speech on the implementation of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy. Describing the NHAS as a road map for all public and private stakeholders, he highlighted a number of its key facets, including:
Dr. Colfax pointed to the expansion of health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act as a key facilitator of efforts to advance toward that goal. Of people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., only 13 percent have private health insurance, nearly 25 percent have no insurance at all, and 47 percent receive Medicaid. He noted that the health care law will expand health care coverage to over 30 million Americans when fully implemented. In the meantime, significant changes have already been brought about by the law, he noted. These include:
Dr. Colfax reminded the USCA participants that HIV tracks other social and economic disparities in this nation, including education, poverty, unemployment, and homelessness. Thus, closing gaps in the treatment cascade and achieving the NHAS goals will not be achieved solely by expanding HIV treatment and health insurance coverage. Indeed, Dr. Colfax argued that a combination approach to HIV prevention and care is essential.
Given the progress implementing the NHAS to date—some of which is documented in ONAP’s Update of Federal Efforts to Implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the opportunities that are being realized with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and the continued efforts of all stakeholders, including all of the conference participants, Dr. Colfax expressed confidence that by continuing to work together, we will implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and meet the President’s vision of an AIDS free generation.
Related posts:
- Engaging multiple federal agencies and the programs they support in its implementation;
- Emphasis on aligning resources where the epidemic is most concentrated and in populations with greatest disparities;
- Applying evidence-based approaches; and
- Focusing on improving coordination and efficiency across and within Federal, state, local and tribal governments
Dr. Colfax pointed to the expansion of health care coverage under the Affordable Care Act as a key facilitator of efforts to advance toward that goal. Of people living with HIV/AIDS in the U.S., only 13 percent have private health insurance, nearly 25 percent have no insurance at all, and 47 percent receive Medicaid. He noted that the health care law will expand health care coverage to over 30 million Americans when fully implemented. In the meantime, significant changes have already been brought about by the law, he noted. These include:
- 54 million additional Americans are receiving preventive services;
- More than 3 million newly insured young adults are insured on their parent’s private insurance;
- Hundreds of persons living with HIV now covered under Pre-existing Condition Insurance Plans; and
- Increased investment in community health centers, where HIV care can be provided.
Dr. Colfax reminded the USCA participants that HIV tracks other social and economic disparities in this nation, including education, poverty, unemployment, and homelessness. Thus, closing gaps in the treatment cascade and achieving the NHAS goals will not be achieved solely by expanding HIV treatment and health insurance coverage. Indeed, Dr. Colfax argued that a combination approach to HIV prevention and care is essential.
Given the progress implementing the NHAS to date—some of which is documented in ONAP’s Update of Federal Efforts to Implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the opportunities that are being realized with the implementation of the Affordable Care Act, and the continued efforts of all stakeholders, including all of the conference participants, Dr. Colfax expressed confidence that by continuing to work together, we will implement the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and meet the President’s vision of an AIDS free generation.
Related posts:
- U.S. Conference on AIDS – Highlights from Day 1
- 2012 U.S. Conference on AIDS – Highlights from Pre-Conference Summit to End the HIV/AIDS Epidemic in America
- U.S. Conference on AIDS – Highlights of Day 1
- HIV/AIDS Highlights from the 2011 Congressional Black Caucus Foundation Annual Legislative Conference
- U.S. Conference on AIDS – Highlights of the Final Day
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