Due to significant budget cuts within the Ohio Department of Health, more than three hundred patients infected with HIV will lose their subsidized medications that keep their health in check.
HIV medications can help prevent patients from developing serious opportunistic infections and can decrease the likelihood they are able to infect another person, by lowering the viral load.
The Ohio program serves more than 5,000 people across the state and in Columbus, but due to funding cuts had a projected $16 million loss, necessitating the elimination of services for some patients.
The program only covers medications, not food, housing, transportation or any other services for HIV patients.
Community groups such as the Columbus AIDS Task Force intend to help as many Columbus residents cut from the state program as possible.
Comments
The program at ODH covers medicine, medical visits, and pays for the case managers at Columbus AIDS Task Force who will be helping clients find new ways to obtain their medications. Housing is available through HOPWA (Housing Opportunities for People with AIDS).
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