Anita Nwachuku PREV648

Policy Paper Outline

Policy Issue: Should state coverage of routine screening for HIV be a requirement under

a traditional Medicaid benefit package? Do you plan to discuss in the context of one

state? Are you ruling out that it could be a federal mandate?

Policy Background and Significance

- HIV/AIDS Epidemic in the US

o Overview of US Statistics

o Current Recommendations on HIV Testing

- Why should states be required to cover for routine HIV screening under

traditional Medicare Benefit Packages? Why not?

- Current Initiatives

o The Office of National AIDS Policy

The National HIV/AIDS Strategy

o DHAP: Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention

DHAP Strategic Plan

- Overview of Medicaid

o Brief History

o Who are the beneficiaries?

o What services are provided?

o Current status of HIV testing for Medicaid beneficiaries

- Costs; all Medicaid recipients or targeted? Why?

Policy OptionsProvide pros and cons for all options; these will lead to and support

the policy recommendation

List more options

- State coverage for routine HIV screening should remain an optional service

offered under traditional Medicaid benefit packages.

- State coverage for routine HIV screening should become a required service

offered under traditional Medicaid benefit packages.

Policy Recommendation

- I recommendthat states be required to extend coverage for routine screening of

HIV under traditional Medicaid benefit packages.

GRADE=90