Massachusetts lawmakers have passed landmark legislation protecting access to HIV prevention medication for residents & strengthening state efforts to end the HIV epidemic. Governor Maura Healey signed the legislation July 9th. The legislation ensures no-cost insurance coverage for PrEP protecting MA residents against the threat of rollbacks by the federal government. Ben Klein, GLAD Law Senior Director of Litigation & HIV Law stated, “We’re so grateful to Chairman Michlewitz & our House & Senate legislative leaders who – with Governor Healey – are boldly protecting access to HIV prevention in Massachusetts. PrEP is our clearest path to ending the HIV epidemic, but only if people can actually get it. We cannot rely on a federal government that has shown hostility to HIV prevention & public health. Massachusetts is stepping up as a national leader to ensure that this lifesaving prevention reaches everyone who needs it.” Kenneth Mayer, MD, Medical Research Director & Co-Chair of The Fenway Institute concluded, “The Massachusetts Legislature has taken a critical step to protect public health & ensure access to one of the most powerful HIV prevention tools ever developed. PrEP can protect people against HIV infection, yet only a minority of eligible people in Massachusetts have a prescription. Cost, prior authorization & other barriers have long stood in the way, particularly for the communities most impacted by the epidemic. By codifying these protections in state law, Massachusetts is making clear that it prioritizes infectious disease prevention & reducing racial disparities in the HIV epidemic.” The legislation was supported by more than 60 public health experts, HIV physicians, state & national HIV medical orgs & LGBTQ community groups.
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