Causes: AIDS, Education, Health, Human Service Organizations, Human Services

Mission: The mission of NO/AIDS Task Force is “to reduce the spread of HIV infection, advocate empowerment, safeguard the rights and dignity of HIV-affected individuals, and provide for an enlightened public. ”

Geographic areas served: Southeast Louisiana

Programs: Medication: the task force contracts with a local pharmacy to provide medication to hiv-infected individuals. The task force also assists with insurance (and medical) copayments for qualified individuals. Staff assists eligible clients in enrolling in pharmaceutical medication assistance programs for access to free or low cost medications. The task force is a covered entity in the u. S. Department of health and human services, health resources and services administration, office of pharmacy affairs and participates in the 340b drug pricing program whereby medications are purchased by a qualified third party pharmacy company for task force clients at a discounted price, resulting in revenue for the task force based on these savings. The intent of the 340b program is to permit the covered entity to stretch scarce federal resources as far as possible, reaching more eligible patients and providing more comprehensive services.

primary medical care: the task force operates two full service primary care clinics which provide comprehensive medical care to over 1,600 hiv-infected or exposed individuals and over 120 clients from the community at large. In the clinic, the task force employs five full-time physicians, three full-time nurse practitioners, six full-time registered nurses, one full-time medical assistant, one licensed practical nurse, and one phlebotomist. The clinics are open five and a half days per week and provide care to all individuals in need.

case management: the task force provides case managers who serve as liaisons between clients and the network of community resources to ensure that the infected live comfortably and with dignity. Case managers work with those living with hiv and aids to develop a plan of care that addresses their medical, financial, emoitional and social needs.