Health Commissioner Mary E. O'Dowd announced today that New Jersey will receive $5.2 million in federal funding to support the Department's pharmaceutical assistance and insurance assistance programs for those with HIV/AIDS.
The Department of Health was awarded $5,195,960 from Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a branch of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to strengthen the AIDS Drug Distribution Program (ADDP), which provides life-sustaining and life-prolonging medications to low-income individuals, and the New Jersey Health Insurance Continuation Program (HCIP), which assists individuals with HIV/AIDS with health insurance.
New Jersey received the second highest increase of any state in its award at 606 percent higher than last years award, with Illinois receiving the highest percentage increase.
"With this funding, New Jersey will provide improved access to medical care and medications for residents affected by HIV/AIDS," said Commissioner O'Dowd.
"Treatment is prevention-the use of these funds to provide health insurance and medication which is an important preventive tool that will decrease the HIV transmission in our state."
This funding will allow the Department to serve an additional 270 individuals and to streamline the eligibility determination process for ADDP and HICP-making it faster and easier for New Jersey residents to access these programs.
"This award will ensure that New Jersey continues to have one of the most generous ADDP programs in the nation," Commissioner O'Dowd added.
ADDP covers a wide-range of FDA-approved medications for treating individuals with HIV and AIDS. This program serves individuals with incomes up to 500 percent of the poverty level. The ADDP program serves as a safety net and payer of last resort for those who are ineligible for Medicaid, PAAD, and General Assistance. Last year, ADDP served more than 7,000 New Jersey residents.
The Health Insurance Continuation Program (HICP) currently serves 607 New Jersey residents. It provides health insurance continuation for individuals with HIV disease who have no other source of payment for health insurance.
In March, the Christie Administration announced $8.1 million in federal funding to 17 hospitals, community organizations and public health agencies providing medical and support services to those living with HIV/AIDS.
For more information on the Department of Health's efforts to help those with HIV/AIDS, please visit http://nj.gov/health/aids/index.shtml.
