Item 3: Kind Clinic Funding Needs Presentation — original pdf

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Kind Clinic’s Walk-In Testing Space Funding Needs Juan Benitez Chief Advancement Officer Pursuing Health Justice in Texas Services include PrEP and PEP, gender-affirming care, HIV and Hepatitis C treatment, STI testing and treatment, and intersex care. Beyond the clinics, the Community Health Program offers free walk-in HIV and STI testing and treatment as well as mobile and field-based testing events. All Community Health Program services are provided at no cost, expanding access to care for communities across Central Texas. 2 HIV & STI Trends in Central Texas Calendar Year 2024 6,782 – Total STI testing patient visits at Kind Clinic’s Walk-In Testing 1,185 STI & HIV Reactive Visits Total patient visits that resulted in a diagnosis for HIV, syphilis, gonorrhea, chlamydia, or hepatitis c Approximately 1 IN 6 patient visits tested reactive for an STI in Central Texas. 17.47% Positivity rate for individuals testing for STIs through Kind Clinic Community Health & Walk-In Testing Program. 2024 Calendar Year: Breakdown of STI Diagnoses Treatment Without Delay Timely treatment is a cornerstone of Kind Clinic’s Community Program. For patients who test positive for HIV or an STI, receiving care quickly not only improves individual health outcomes but also plays a critical role in reducing community transmission. Many patients begin treatment on the same day as their test, whether through scheduled appointments, prescriptions sent directly to the pharmacy, medication pick-ups, or empiric treatment provided immediately based on symptoms and risk factors. For those we cannot treat on-site, our team works to ensure they are linked to appropriate care in the community. This rapid, coordinated approach reflects our commitment to making treatment as accessible, immediate, and barrier-free as possible. Percent Breakdown of STI Diagnoses: Reactive Visits Calendar Year 2024 64% (614) 56%, (536) 15% (148) 2.4% (23) 0.3% (3) TREATMENT 94% of patients received treatment at Kind Clinic. 40% of patients received treatment at time of testing. Sustainability & Demand for Services Ongoing $800,000 funding gap to support walk-in testing services in Austin. Changes in federal funding streams, combined with ongoing state-level challenges, threaten to weaken the safety net for communities most impacted. Closing this funding gap would: • Maintain and grow treatment access so all patients who test positive continue to receive immediate, no-cost care, sustaining our same-day treatment model. • Increase outreach to high-risk and underserved communities where positivity rates are highest, ensuring equitable access to testing and treatment. • Sustain a skilled, culturally competent workforce of Community Health Specialists who ensure same-day linkage to care for HIV and STI diagnoses. • Fund essential testing kits, lab services, and medications to meet rising demand, particularly for chlamydia, gonorrhea, and syphilis, which account for the majority of diagnoses. 9 Looking Ahead: Responding to Emerging Trends • Rising uninsured rates, higher healthcare costs, because of the Big Beautiful Bill will strain community services starting in late 2025 • In 2026, the loss of enhanced ACA subsidies will reduce insurance affordability and access to care for thousands of Central Texans • By 2027, without local investment, STI rates and health disparities could increase while treatment access declines • Multi-year, sustained funding is needed for Kind Clinic to meet demand, adapt to policy changes, and meet demand for services in Central Texas. • With unstable federal and state funding, Austin has a responsibility to lead and preserve access to essential health services 1 0