Alameda County Targeted Under Trump's HIV Prevention Plan

ALAMEDA COUNTY, CA — A federal program that aims to prevent HIV by providing free medication to people without insurance was announced Tuesday, and Alameda County is one of just 57 jurisdictions nationwide selected for the rollout.

Dubbed "Ready, Set, PrEP," the program offers free pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) to people without prescription drug insurance coverage. PrEP is a daily regimen of two oral antiretroviral drugs in a single pill, designed to prevent HIV infection in high-risk individuals.

Ready, Set, PrEP is a component of the Ending the HIV Epidemic: A Plan for America initiative launched in February under President Donald Trump. The plan aims to reduce the number of new HIV transmissions in the United States by 75 percent in five years and by 90 percent in 10 years, according to the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

Although more than one million people at risk for HIV in the United States could benefit from PrEP medications, only a small fraction get them, according to HHS. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommend PrEP for individuals at risk of acquiring HIV. When taken as prescribed, PrEP is highly effective at reducing an individual’s risk of acquiring HIV, according to HHS.

“Ready, Set, PrEP is a historic expansion of access to HIV prevention medication and a major step forward in President Trump’s plan to end the HIV epidemic in America,” said HHS Secretary Alex Azar. “Thanks to Ready, Set, PrEP, thousands of Americans who are at risk for HIV, including individuals in Alameda County, will now be able to protect themselves and their communities.”

Alameda County was targeted for the program because it's considered a hotspot for new HIV infections in the United States, according to HHS.

To qualify for Ready, Set, PrEP, people must test negative for HIV, have a valid prescription for the medications, and not have prescription drug coverage. All medications are fully covered for qualifying participants; however, the costs of necessary clinic visits and lab tests may vary depending on an individual’s income. People can find out if they qualify by visiting GetYourPrEP.com or calling toll-free 855-447-8410.

HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration’s Health Center program will support Ready, Set, PrEP by working closely with healthcare professionals at more than 12,000 service sites and 1,400 health centers nationwide, according to HHS.

Beginning no later than March 30, qualified patients can obtain the PrEP medications at the more than 21,000 combined CVS Health, Walgreens, and Rite Aid locations throughout 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands or through mail order—all at no cost to patients. The retailers will also provide patient counseling and take steps to promote patient adherence to the regimen. Between now and March 30, patients can still access PrEP medications through the program at thousands of participating pharmacies.