HLS 10RS-2745 ORIGINAL
Page 1 of 3
Regular Session, 2010
HOUSE CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON NO. 133
BY REPRESENTATIVE MICHAEL JACKSON
AIDS: Expresses support for the urgent disbursement of additional federal funding for the
Louisiana AIDS Drug Assistance Program
A CONCURRENT RESOLUTI ON1
To express support for the Louisiana Commission on HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C and the2
Louisiana AIDS Advocacy Network in requesting urgent disbursement of additional3
federal funding for Louisiana AIDS Drug Assistance Programs.4
WHEREAS, the United States faces a major public health crisis for low-income5
persons living with HIV or AIDS due to the insufficient funding of more than a dozen state6
AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) and the subsequent implementation of cost7
containment measures or closures within these programs; and8
WHEREAS, access to antiretroviral medications provided through state ADAPs has9
been demonstrated to slow HIV disease progression, enhance the quality of life of persons10
living with HIV, delay the onset of AIDS, and extend life; and11
WHEREAS, a low viral burden has also been associated with a reduced rate of HIV12
transmission; and13
WHEREAS, the Louisiana office of public health HIV/AIDS Program has already14
implemented cost containment measures in excess of two million dollars and still faces a15
significant budget deficit for the state's ADAP; and16
WHEREAS, in the past twelve months, as a result of stagnant levels of federal17
funding, rising unemployment, and aggressive HIV testing initiatives funded by the Centers18
for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Louisiana ADAP has experienced a fifteen19
percent increase in the overall number of unduplicated clients served; a seventeen percent20
increase in average antiretroviral medication cost per client; a twenty-two percent increase21 HLS 10RS-2745 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 133
Page 2 of 3
in utilization of services; and a thirty-two percent increase in overall program expenditures;1
and2
WHEREAS, these trends of increasing client utilization and program costs do not3
show signs of reversing; and4
WHEREAS, the level of federal funds available has not kept pace with the increase5
in client utilization of state ADAPs, creating a need for additional funding on an emergency6
basis; and7
WHEREAS, Louisiana may be forced to cap new enrollment to the state's ADAP8
without such funds; and9
WHEREAS, such a limitation would create barriers to Louisianians accessing life-10
prolonging medications and will potentially increase HIV-related morbidity and mortality11
in this state; and12
WHEREAS, according to the CDC's 2007 HIV/AIDS Surveillance Report, Volume13
19, Louisiana ranked fifth highest among all states in AIDS case rates and eleventh highest14
among all states in the number of AIDS cases diagnosed in 2007; and15
WHEREAS, as also identified in this CDC report, New Orleans ranked second16
highest in AIDS case rates among the largest United States metropolitan areas and Baton17
Rouge ranked third highest.18
THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED that the Legislature of Louisiana does hereby19
support the Louisiana Commission on HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C and the Louisiana AIDS20
Advocacy Network in requesting urgent disbursement of additional federal funding for the21
Louisiana AIDS Drug Assistance Program.22
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that in taking this action, the Legislature of23
Louisiana intends to mitigate the effects of cost containment measures in the Louisiana24
AIDS Drug Assistance Program and prevent the further limitation or closure of this program.25
BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED that a copy of this Resolution be transmitted to the26
Louisiana Commission on HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C and to the Louisiana AIDS Advocacy27
Network.28 HLS 10RS-2745 ORIGINAL
HCR NO. 133
Page 3 of 3
DIGEST
The digest printed below was prepared by House Legislative Services. It constitutes no part
of the legislative instrument. The keyword, one-liner, abstract, and digest do not constitute
part of the law or proof or indicia of legislative intent. [R.S. 1:13(B) and 24:177(E)]
Michael Jackson HCR No. 133
Expresses support for the La. Commission on HIV, AIDS, and Hepatitis C and the La. AIDS
Advocacy Network in requesting urgent disbursement of additional federal funding for La.
AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs).