HD63 - A Plan for Incorporating HIV/AIDS Treatment for Infected Children in the Commonwealth's Children's Specialty Services Program

  • Published: 1994
  • Author: Department of Health and Joint Subcommittee
  • Enabling Authority: House Joint Resolution 691 (Regular Session, 1993)

Executive Summary:
As of June, 1993, a cumulative total of 98 Virginians under the age of 19 had been reported as having AIDS. Forty-four of these young people have died. An additional 166 persons, birth through age 19, had been reported with HIV infection. Thus, 220 young people are currently infected with HIV or have AIDS. The Eastern, Central and Northern Regions of Virginia had the highest prevalence of these conditions.

Since perinatal transmission now accounts for most of the cases of pediatric HIV/AIDS, many HIV-infected children have a mother who is also infected. Often, her illness affects her ability to care for the child. The combination of medical problems presented by this situation is best managed at a Family Services Clinic where both mother and child can be seen in the same area and at the same time by infectious disease specialists. Beyond the physical impact of AIDS, this combined family disease leads to unique psychosocial disorders demanding a case management program and a multidisciplinary team.

The Children's Specialty Services (CSS) Program of the Virginia Department of Health provides specialized medical and surgical care for handicapping conditions. In order for the treatment of HIV/AIDS to be added to the CSS network of clinics, additional funding is required.

The study team recommended to and received support from the Joint Subcommittee Studying Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome the following:

A. Fund additional staff costs ($170,885) for the provision of case management, patient education, social work and nutrition services at the Family HIV/AIDS Services Clinics at the Children's Hospital of The King's Daughters (CHKD) and the Medical College of Virginia (MCV). These two medical centers already have Family HIV/AIDS Services Clinics in place, but need additional staff in order to make the services more comprehensive. Both medical centers serve geographic regions of Virginia with high prevalence of HIV and AIDS. This will be a pilot project for family support Services to 190 children and mothers who have their treatment costs covered by Medicaid;

B. Phase-in funding for Family HIV/AIDS Services Clinics, as they are established, in the Northern and Southwest Regions, and the University of Virginia (UVA) Health Sciences Center.