ATLANTA (January 20, 2022) — Today, Georgia Equality released the results of a commissioned budget review investigating the impact Medicaid expansion could have on the availability of HIV treatment and care dollars in Georgia. The report, prepared by Alan Essig, shows that expanding Medicaid under the Affordable Care Act would result in serving more Georgians with HIV/AIDS diagnoses –to the tune of $53 million– without spending additional state dollars.
The Governor’s recommendation to increase funding for Georgia’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) by $9.9 million in both the midyear budget and the budget for the next state fiscal year is desperately needed to ensure that we can avoid the establishment of a waiting list for these lifesaving medications. While we applaud the Governor’s support of ADAP, unfortunately, such increases on an annual basis may not be sustainable over time. Therefore, Georgia Equality’s educational arm, Equality Foundation of Georgia, contracted with noted budget analyst Alan Essig to study the implications of expanding Georgia’s Medicaid program to cover people living with HIV.
From the Report:
Medicaid expansion would allow over half of those enrolled in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program who are currently uninsured to be moved to the Medicaid program where they would not only be eligible to receive all the services available under the Ryan White program but would also be eligible to receive additional wrap-around services not available under Ryan White. As a result of moving 55% of Ryan White clients to the Medicaid program approximately $53.7 million of Ryan White funding would be available to serve non-Medicaid eligible HIV/AIDS positive Georgians who are not currently receiving services, additional services and medications for those clients that would remain in the Ryan White program, as well as existing funding shortfalls.
“Looking at the result of this independent analysis proves what we have long suspected, expanding Medicaid eligibility in Georgia to reach more people living with HIV is a cost effective solution to ensuring that people have access to the life-saving medications currently provided by the AIDS Drug Assistance Program,” said Jeff Graham, Georgia Equality’s executive director. “Furthermore, by expanding Medicaid, the Department of Public Health would be able to re-direct as much as $53 million dollars towards expanding access to the medical care and essential supportive services, especially in rural communities, that are the key to saving lives, improving health outcomes and ultimately ending the ongoing AIDS crisis.”
ABOUT
Founded in 1995, Georgia Equality is the state’s largest advocacy organization working to advance fairness, safety, and opportunity for Georgia’s lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer communities and our allies.
Alan Essig is a Principal of Essig Public Policy Research LLC, former Executive Director of the Georgia Budget and Policy Institute, and former staff to the Georgia Senate and House of Representatives Appropriations Committees.
###