NCJ Number
122708
Journal
State Legislatures Volume: 16 Issue: 4 Dated: (April 1990) Pages: 16-19
Date Published
1990
Length
4 pages
Annotation
AIDS cases are growing fastest among groups most likely to require State assistance, such as intravenous drug users, minorities, women, and children.
Abstract
The cost of AIDS for a typical patient, from diagnosis to death, ranges from $24,000 to $147,000. Cumulative lifetime medical costs of treating all individuals diagnosed with the disease by 1991 range from $6 billion to $37.6 billion. Between 1982 and 1988, the Federal Government spent $5.4 billion on AIDS. Most Federal and State spending for AIDS goes through the Medicaid program. Recent trends in the people being infected indicate that public hospitals and Medicaid will be paying more of AIDS costs, particularly for intravenous drug users and low-income groups. Some States rely entirely on Federal funds to support their AIDS projects, while others contribute more than the Federal Government. States are most likely to use Federal funds for surveillance, testing, and counseling programs. States are most likely to use their own non-Medicaid funds for patient care, support services, and administration. Many of those at high risk of HIV infection have no private insurance, although it is extremely unrealistic to believe that Medicaid will be able to meet the needs of the increasing number of persons infected. Obstacles to care under Medicaid include wide variations among States in eligibility and benefits, along with low reimbursement rates. The cost of medical care for prisoners with AIDS is an additional issue that has emerged as a major budget item in some correctional systems. Since Medicaid is not available to inmates, the costs of AIDS-related medical services are the responsibility of States. Statistical data on Federal and State funding for AIDS is provided.