Study Demonstrates Health and Economic Benefits of ETHA
WASHINGTON, DC – A new study on the Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2003 (ETHA), introduced by Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR), finds that passing ETHA would reduce the death rate for people with HIV on Medicaid by 50 percent over ten years. The study, conducted by PriceWaterhouseCoopers (PWC) was released by the Treatment Access Expansion Project (TEAP).
"This study shows that the lives of people with HIV can be greatly improved through the passage of ETHA," said Smith. "Some people living with HIV and AIDS get the latest medical treatment, but too many do not. This is literally a life and death issue for many Oregonians, and ETHA can help many more Americans enjoy long, healthy lives."
The study found that providing early intervention care through ETHA significantly delays the progression of HIV disease, increases the life expectancy of HIV positive individuals, and is highly cost-effective. The study found that over ten years:
ETHA reduces the death rate for persons living with HIV on Medicaid by 50 percent
Disease progression is significantly slowed and health outcomes improved
Medicaid offsets alone reduce gross Medicaid costs by approximately 70 percent
ETHA (S.847) would provide Medicaid coverage to low-income, HIV positive Americans before they develop AIDS. ETHA also provides states enhanced Medicaid funding, making more federal money available for states that invest in treatments for HIV. The legislation helps states with struggling budgets, like Oregon, continue to provide medical treatment to low-income, HIV positive people in need.
"It's vitally important that we understand the value of this legislation," said Florida AIDS Action Executive Director Dr. Gene Copello. "As the face of this epidemic continues to change to one of underserved populations, ETHA will enable us to remove barriers to early intervention health care. And, we do this at a savings in costs to both our communities and our health care system."
The legislation was introduced in April and is currently awaiting action in the Senate Finance Committee, of which Smith is a member.
