Red Tape Hinders AIDS Programs in Maryland

Some medical clinics and nonprofit organizations in suburban Maryland have had to defer or cut services to AIDS patients because of delays in receiving federal Ryan White funds. Groups have had to cut back on providing food vouchers for AIDS patients, delay nonemergency health care such as dental work, and halt programs that transport patients to doctor's appointments.

The problem stems from the time-consuming, exhaustive contract review process in Prince George's County, said Donald Shell, health officer for the county Health Department (PGCHD). Ryan White funds are distributed through the District of Columbia Department of Health, which then contracts with PGCHD to provide services for low-income HIV/AIDS patients in several suburban Maryland counties near Washington. The District's contract with Prince George's County is about $7 million.

Last year, federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) monitors criticized the county for failing to sign its contract with the District for four months into the grant year. That left AIDS groups unable to be reimbursed for services they were providing.

"Our hands are tied," said Shannon L. Hader, director of the D.C. HIV/AIDS Administration. "We can't do anything until they have their ducks in a row."

County officials have asked the District for help in solving the problem, said Shell. "Our staff has had some dialogue with the District on ways we could begin this process five months earlier," he said.

The county and District must expedite the contracting process, both for the sake of patients and small service providers that lack cash reserves, said Douglas Morgan, who oversees Ryan White programs nationally for HRSA. Groups used to be able to secure loans to bridge these contracting delays, but the tight credit market now means more will cut or reduce services, he said.

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.


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