Under the guidance of New York’s Governor Andrew Cuomo, the state announced the implementation of new health legislature aimed to decrease the incidence of new HIV infections in New York State. Being referred to as the ‘Bending the Curve’ plan, Governor Cuomo’s plan is a three-step program that will bring the total number of new HIV infections below the total number HIV-related deaths to end the AIDS epidemic in New York for once and for all.

“Thirty years ago, New York was the epicenter of the AIDS crisis—today I am proud to announce that we are in a position to be the first state in the nation committed to ending this epidemic,” said Governor Cuomo.

With the number of newly diagnosed HIV infections having drastically decreased from 14,000 in 1993 to 3,000 in 2014, the goal is to bring that number down to approximately 750 by 2020 – the equivalent of new tuberculosis cases in the state each year.

A priority of the “Bending the Curve” three-point program will be identifying undiagnosed individuals with HIV and linking them to appropriate healthcare. Viable treatments include anti-HIV therapy to maximize suppression of the virus to not only increase life span but also to prevent further transmission. High-risk individuals will be provided access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP) to maintain HIV negative status.

Additionally, the plan calls for the removal of the requirement of solely written consent to receive an HIV test, and allows for verbally consented orders for tests. Health data is shared amongst providers to track and bring back HIV patients who have fallen out of care. Moreover, the program implements a 30% cap of the patient’s income to ensure stable housing, consequentially improving their likelihood of staying on medication.

The plan has also initiated partnerships with three pharmaceutical companies to negotiate supplemental rebates to decrease the cost of medications to the state. AbbVie, Bristol-Myers Squibb, and Gilead represent 70 percent of the HIV market.

Living with HIV can cost up to $400,000 over the patient’s lifetime in medical costs. The plan is projected to save New York State $317 million and prevent approximately 3,500 new cases of HIV. 

“Governors Cuomo’s leadership will make New York a model for ending AIDS across the country and around the globe.” said Benjamin Bashein, Acting Executive Director of AIDS Community Research Initiative of America.