Senate Bill 15-247 Summary

• Expands the state drug assistance program administered by the Department of Public Health and Environment to cover prevention, intervention, screening, and general medical costs for individuals with HIV, AIDS, viral hepatitis, or sexually transmitted infections.

• Broadens eligibility from only AIDS/HIV treatment to include individuals of lower income with any indication for treatment or prevention of these conditions, with prescription requirements from an authorized provider.

• Establishes a priority ranking system when program funding is limited: HIV/AIDS diagnosed individuals receive highest priority, followed by HIV prevention candidates, treatable sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis, and emerging care needs.

• Creates the drug assistance program fund from tobacco litigation settlement moneys (capped at $5 million annually) with authority to use excess federal price agreement revenues and access AIDS and HIV prevention fund moneys if needed.

• Appropriates $263,033 from the drug assistance program fund for fiscal year 2015-16 for Ryan White Act operating expenses, with anticipated $600,000 from federal price agreement revenues.