HF 4121

as introduced - 90th Legislature (2017 - 2018) Posted on 03/26/2018 05:48pm

A bill for an act
relating to health; establishing a pilot program to provide universal access for PrEP
and PEP treatment programs; appropriating money.

BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF MINNESOTA:

Section 1. new text begin UNIVERSAL ACCESS TO PRE-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PREP)
AND POST-EXPOSURE PROPHYLAXIS (PEP) PROGRAM.
new text end

new text begin Subdivision 1. new text end

new text begin General. new text end

new text begin The commissioner of health shall implement a health initiative
to provide universal access to PrEP medicines to prevent HIV infection and PEP antiretroviral
medicines to address potential exposure to HIV. The purpose of the program is to provide
access to those persons who are not insured, persons whose insurance does not cover PrEP
and PEP medicines, or persons who have co-pay charges that make access to the medicines
unaffordable. The goal of the program is to improve health outcomes and reduce health care
costs by managing care to prevent HIV.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 2. new text end

new text begin Funding. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall seek funding for the program through an
appropriation from AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) and the pharmaceutical rebate
revenue program. The commissioner shall seek federal grant money available for the purpose
of this section. The commissioner shall also seek other alternative funding that may be
available for the purpose of this section.
new text end

new text begin Subd. 3. new text end

new text begin Public education; availability of drugs. new text end

new text begin The commissioner shall:
new text end

new text begin (1) develop a public awareness campaign to educate the public about PrEP and PEP;
new text end

new text begin (2) develop a distribution process by making the medicines available through public and
community clinics such as the Red Door, Clinic 555, NorthPoint Health and Wellness
Center, and LaClinica; and
new text end

new text begin (3) engage with community-based nonprofit agencies such as the Minnesota AIDS
Project, Rainbow Health Initiative, African American AIDS Task Force, Positive Care
Center at Hennepin County Medical Center, Youth and AIDS Project, and Rural AIDS
Action Network to raise awareness of the program and to connect persons with agencies
that provide access to the medicines.
new text end