Massachusetts Expands Medicaid Program to Offer Full Benefits to Low-Income, HIV-Positive Individuals
Massachusetts on Sunday expanded its Medicaid program to provide full health insurance benefits to low-income individuals with HIV, reportedly becoming the first state to offer such a program, the AP/Worcester Telegram & Gazette reports. Prior to the expansion, low-income HIV-positive Massachusetts residents had to wait until they progressed to AIDS to qualify for certain benefits. Under the new program, HIV-positive individuals who earn less than 200% of the federal poverty level can receive primary care physician visits, dental services, vaccinations, prescription drugs, eyeglasses, hospital stays, lab tests and X-rays. About 1,000 Massachusetts HIV-positive residents will financially qualify for the program (AP/Worcester Telegram & Gazette, 4/5).
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