Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2005

The Early Treatment for HIV Act of 2005 (S. 311) would have allowed states to expand Medicaid coverage to low-income individuals living with HIV before they developed full-blown AIDS or a related disability. Under the rules at the time, many patients could only qualify for Medicaid assistance after their health had significantly declined. By providing states with an increased federal matching rate to cover these costs, the bill aimed to provide patients with earlier access to life-saving medical treatments and preventative care.