Issue No. 28

What difference does it make? Come January 1, 2006, a huge difference. That’s the date Medicare’s first-ever prescription drug coverage starts. This new benefit, also known as Part D, will revolutionize the way Medicare-eligible patients and those covered under both Medicaid and Medicare access their HIV medications. There is a lot to know about Part D and not much time to get up to speed on it. The Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) has created a question and answer page on their Web site. The Q & A format is designed to help people understand the implications of the new Medicare Part D prescription drug benefit program. These questions and answers will be updated regularly, so keep checking them out at: http://www.hrsa.gov/medicare/HIV/qa.htm. You may also want to take a look at the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services’ Web page on prescription drug coverage at: http://www.cms.hhs.gov/medicarereform/pdbma/.

New Perinatal Hotline for Physicians Treating HIV+ Pregnant Women

The HAB of HRSA created a new National Perinatal HIV Consultation and Referral Service (also known as the Perinatal Hotline) that provides free 24-hour clinical consultation and advice for treating HIV-infected pregnant women and their infants. Staff will also provide advice on indications for and interpretations of rapid and standard HIV testing in pregnancy. To find out more about the new Perinatal Hotline, visit: http://www.ucsf.edu/hivcntr/Hotlines/Perinatal.html. To call the Hotline, dial: 888-448-8765.

Third Annual Latino AIDS Awareness Day—October 15, 2005

Saturday, October 15, 2005, is the day set aside for Latinos, regardless of their country of origin, to “Abre los ojos” or “open your eyes” and address the HIV/AIDS epidemic in the Latino community. For more information, go to: http://www.cdcnpin.org/scripts/locates/LocateConfResults.asp.

ClinicalTrials.gov Info