TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager, or designee, to execute an Enrollment Site Agreement, and any subsequent amendments with the California Department of Public Health, to provide AIDS Drug Assistance Program services for the period July 1, 2016 through June 30, 2019. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, the City of Long Beach Health and Human Services Department (Health Department) has provided services through ADAP. This program, established in 1987, assists uninsured, or under-insured, HIV-positive individuals with access to medications used to treat the disease, and assists with the prevention of the spread of HIV and the onset of related opportunistic infections.
The Health Department’s annual efforts ensure that approximately 8,000 medications are dispensed by community pharmacies to individuals living with HIV. These disease-controlling medications total more than $3 million. Without continued access to these medications, the mortality and morbidity of those living with HIV, and the transmission and acquisition of HIV, would be gravely increased.
The Health Department, through a separate agreement with the State ADAP Program already in place, is able to claim reimbursement for the provision of ADAP services. However, the State of California Department of Public Health (State) now requires that agencies that provide these services also enter into an Enrollment Site Agreement. Although there is no direct funding to the City associated with the execution of this site agreement, the ADAP program provides more than $3 million in payments directly to participating community pharmacies, covering the costs of these vital medications.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Robin Zur Schmiede on July 11, 2016 and by Budget Analysis Officer Rhutu Amin Gharib on July 12, 2016.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on August 9, 2016, to continue the program without interruption.
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