HIV Prevention and Care
HIV care is primary care. PCDC advocates for protecting and expanding HIV prevention and treatment services as part of the national movement to increase access to and improve the quality of primary care.
Despite major strides since the outbreak of the epidemic, including the advent of PrEP and PEP, disparities in access to care, treatment, and prevention remain urgent challenges. Notably, people of color, especially men who have sex with men, continue to see HIV transmission rates that are disproportionally high.
Since 1993, PCDC has been working tirelessly to close gaps in primary care access for underserved and vulnerable communities, including people living with HIV. Through the joint efforts of organizations across the globe, the end of the HIV epidemic is in sight.
Our Policy Issues
ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC
Support the federal initiative, Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America.
As part of the national imperative to end the HIV epidemic, which aims to reduce new transmissions by 90 percent by 2030, PCDC is working closely with states, local communities, and national partners to support people living with or at risk for HIV. PCDC also collaborates with government partners to scale high-impact prevention, care, and treatment strategies — particularly for the hardest-hit communities.
BUILDING PROVIDER CAPACITY
Provide financial and technical assistance to organizations and providers to strengthen HIV prevention and treatment.
Providers are on the front lines of ending the HIV epidemic, and must be adequately trained and financially supported. Furthermore, collaborations and partnerships must be prioritized to overcome barriers to care, such as training all members on health care teams, navigating insurance, and allocating resources effectively.
Critically, a commitment to cultural responsiveness is imperative. Cultural competency should be embedded in all health care policies — regardless of patient demographic or HIV status — and incorporated into standardized clinical provider trainings.
PROTECTING THE 340B DRUG DISCOUNT PROGRAM
Preserve the 340B Drug Discount Program and protect medically underserved communities.
The 340B Program entitles qualifying covered entities — Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)-supported health centers, AIDS drug assistance programs, and safety net hospitals and providers — to receive discounts on eligible outpatient drugs. Covered entities may provide 340B drugs to all eligible patients, regardless of a patient’s payer status and how the drug is administered. Since Congress created the 340B Drug Pricing Program in 1992, safety net providers such as Ryan White HIV/AIDS-funded organizations have counted on 340B to reduce drug costs and help offset the high unreimbursed costs of delivering comprehensive care services to the medically underserved.
Through working in rural and urban communities across the country, PCDC intimately understands how safety net providers and AIDS service organizations rely on the 340B Program to bring accessible care to underserved patients. In recent years, the program has faced several threats both nationally and at the state level, which PCDC has vehemently opposed and advocated against. Because 340B providers exclusively see the most vulnerable populations, limiting the program will disproportionally impact these already hard-hit communities. PCDC strongly supports policies that safeguard the program and its vital benefits.
Spotlight
PCDC offers free HIV provider consultations through our High Impact Prevention (HIP) in Health Care Warmline. Our HIV capacity building experts are available to answer non-urgent questions related to HIV testing, delivering test results to patients, medication adherence, and more. Contact the Warmline today to learn more.