Tina Smith: “The amendment I am offering authorizes $450 million for State demonstration projects to provide Medicaid coverage to…”

“The amendment I am offering authorizes $450 million for State demonstration projects to provide Medicaid coverage to low-income individuals living with HIV. It is similar to S. 311, Early Treatment for HIV Act. I introduced this earlier this year with strong support of 33 of my colleagues. As Medicaid generally covers only those disabled by full-blown AIDS, the amendment would vastly improve the treatment available to some of our most vulnerable citizens. With more States having difficulty maintaining their AIDS drug assistance program, it is imperative that we provide alternative methods of delivering treatment to those individuals with HIV who are living in poverty. It is simply the right thing to do. I ask for my colleagues' support for this fiscally and morally defensible policy.”