TITLE
Recommendation to authorize City Manager to execute all necessary documents between the City of Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services and the State of California Department of Health Services for funding of up to $900,000 to enable the City to provide services for Viral Load Testing, for a three-year period; and execute any other necessary documents or subsequent amendments to extend contract term or increase reimbursement amount. (Citywide)
DISCUSSION
Since 1998, the State of California Department of Health Services (State) has designated the Long Beach Department of Health and Human Services (Health Department) as a contractor in the Viral Load Testing Program. Under the new proposed agreement, the Health Department's Public Health Laboratory will provide up to 3,000 HIV blood tests to AIDS Drug Assistance Program-eligible (ADAP) clients per contract year, and will document and submit test results to the State Office of AIDS.
Viral load tests measure the amount of HIV-1 in patient blood samples, and test results are used to monitor virus progression and medication effectiveness. Viral load testing results allow health care providers to better manage the care of HIV-infectedpatients.
The State's Viral Load Testing Program makes testing available to all ADAP and ADAPeligible clients who would otherwise be unable to afford this service. The submission of test results to the State Office of AIDS allows the State to compile epidemiological data for participating health jurisdictions. The agreement is for a term of three years, from July 1, 2008 through June 30, 2011, for an amountup to $900,000.
This matter was reviewed by Deputy City Attorney Linda Trang on December 22, 2008 and by Budget and Performance Management Bureau Manager David Wodynski on December 26, 2008.
TIMING CONSIDERATIONS
City Council action is requested on January 20,2009 as costs cannot be recovered until the agreement is executed. Due to State budget issues, there was a...
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