Richard Burr: “I am amazed to hear that some have just become familiar with this bill. It has been negotiated in a bicameral…”

“I am amazed to hear that some have just become familiar with this bill. It has been negotiated in a bicameral, bipartisan way. It is the same bill that we have moved out of the committee and now the House has passed it without opposition, and we thought it just right to pick up the House bill. But let me back up, if I can. Currently, New York offers over 500 Medicaid options to their HIV/AIDS patients. West Virginia has less than 50 options for medication. Now, this disparity is not because West Virginia doesn't care about people with HIV and AIDS; this disparity is because New York and New Jersey and other States with Title I cities receive more money per person than the other States. This just is not fair. Why do some States offer 400 drugs to their residents with HIV/AIDS when other States keep waiting lists for individuals who need the most basic lifesaving drugs? Well, in 2005 North Carolina contributed 40 percent of the cost for every individual who qualified for ADAP. ADAP qualification in North Carolina is 125 percent of poverty, $9,200. In contrast, the same year, New York contributed 16 percent of the total ADAP funds, and New Yorkers, under 460 percent of poverty were eligible for Federal ADAP funds. New Jersey contributed only 14 percent of their total ADAP funds used, and residents of New Jersey, under 500 percent of poverty, are eligible for Federal funds. Why?”