Senators Hope to Expand HIV Care

U.S. senators Hillary Rodham Clinton and Gordon Smith reintroduced the Early Treatment for HIV Act in the Senate in February. The bill would give states the option of extending Medicaid coverage to HIV-positive residents who have not yet developed AIDS. The senators say early Medicaid access could cut the AIDS death rate among Medicaid participants by 50% and reduce health care costs by keeping HIVers healthier longer. The bill has 26 sponsors.