On January 27, 2014 the AIDS Foundation of Chicago (AFC) hosted its first HIV Health Summit to provide an opportunity for key stakeholders, such as HIV/AIDS providers, community members, Medicaid managed care organizations, government officials, and legislators to discuss the opportunities, changes and challenges the Affordable Care Act (ACA) and Medicaid managed care will bring people living with or at risk for HIV in Illinois. Despite chilly temperatures in Chicago the day of the Summit, the room was filled with community members and passionate voices illustrating the keen interest in this issue.
The Summit allowed HIV service providers and community members to have an open discussion with panelists who represented various organizations in Illinois responsible for coordinating ACA implementation in our state. Representatives from Governor Quinn’s office, Medicaid managed care organizations, Illinois Department of Public Health, Chicago Department of Public Health, Cook County Health & Hospitals System, and legislators were among the many panelists engaging in discussions with attendees about topics that ranged from HIV care coordination to cultural competency, the Ryan White program as a public health intervention, and ensuring funding for HIV care services in 2015.
The HIV Health Summit provided the opportunity for one of many group discussions as we all work to facilitate the changes and opportunities the Affordable Care Act and Medicaid managed care will bring to our state.
See the full agenda and list of panelists here.
See pictures from the HIV Health Summit here.
