Running head: EVALUATING ELIGIBILITY RULES

Evaluating Eligibility Rules John Webb HSM/240 April 29, 2012 Brittany Mackey

EVALUATING ELIGIBILITY RULES

Evaluating Eligibility Rules Just about every healthcare agency relies on specific eligibility rules, which are set forth to formulate business and help clients. Not every agency has the same rules; however, such rules are critical for agencies in order to provide fair services to each eligible client. These rules set a foundation for the agency, which helps avoid circumstances of favoritism or stigmatization. By establishing specific eligibility rules for all clients, it is easier to identify the qualifying individuals. This paper will evaluate and discuss the eligibility rules used by AIDS when determining who qualifies for services and under what conditions they qualify. The AIDS organization is partnered with several federal agencies which provide a broad range of services to millions of clients. Consequently, this researcher will discuss the eligibility rules for housing assistance. Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS Program (HOPWA) is managed by the Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). HOPWA is the only program available committed to addressing the shelter needs of lowincome people living with HIV-AIDS (HUD, 2008, Para 1). The Department of Housing and Urban Development along with other federal programs provides millions of dollars towards the HOPWA program to grant rental assistance to people who qualify. The HUD-HOPWA program combines short or long-term housing assistance for persons living with HIV-AIDS along with clinical services and confidential case management as a basis for stabilization and increased comprehensive healthcare participation (HUD, 2006). The type of eligibility rule used by the HUD-HOPWA program is the eligibility by administrative rule and regulation. This rule is set forth to clarify in detail the laws of HUD and any housing agency. The use of this rule is an advantage for individuals currently living with

EVALUATING ELIGIBILITY RULES

HIV-AIDS. This rule provides the means by which to administer the benefit or service program evenhandedly and reliably, so that people similarly situated are given similar benefits (Chambers & Wedel, 2005, p. 112). The rule used by the HOPWA program is slightly different from the rule used by the regular HUD program. The essential component of HOPWA is to provide housing assistance strictly for the low-income AIDS population. Their rental assistance program is carefully coordinated with the delivery of additional supportive services. Hence, the eligibility rules that govern this program in order for a person to qualify for the service is that income must be below 80% of the areas median income (HUD 2006, Para 1). The second and most important factor, which is set forth under their eligibility rules, is the specific circumstances for which the person will qualify for the HOPWA Program. Because this is program is strictly enforced for the specific disability of AIDS-HIV, in order to qualify the person must have documented HIVAIDS status (HUD 2006, Para 1). Although there are many programs with clear stigmatization and off-targeted benefits, the HOPWA program appears to be a straightforward program. The benefits provided by this program are specific to people living with HIV-AIDS. As long as the income requirements are met and the persons status is documented there is no room for personal judgment or discretion. Because of its use of the eligibility by administrative rule and regulation, there is no stigmatization in this program. The HOPWA program was created as a universal program which is backed up by Title VIII of the Civil Rights Act of 1968 (Fair Housing Act), Section 504 of the Rehabilitation Act of 1973, and Title II of the Americans with Disabilities Act of 1990 (HUD, 2008, Para 8). This program ensures that the targeted population is able to receive assistance and supportive services

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by proving eligibility through set standards. In doing so, HUD has eliminated stigmatization and off-targeted benefits from this program. In determining trade-offs, there are none that affect the clients concerning eligibility. Under the technical evaluation section of HUDs regulations (2006) it states under the trade-off process, predetermined cut-off scores designed to determine a threshold level of acceptability shall not be employed (Para 5). However, the program does use the vertical equity trade-off process to provide assistance for those most in need, which in the case of this program would be all eligible candidates. There is no midpoint to their services; the individual either qualifies or does not. This researcher considers the rules fair and sufficient because they are set forth strictly to help the people living with HIV-AIDS. The cost of maintaining this program is quite extensive; however, the program is funded by several federal and state agencies. Funds for HOPWA are allocated through formula funds, competitive grants and technical assistance. The formula grant, which is the largest distributes program funds using a statutory formula that relies on AIDS statistics retrieved from Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) (HUD, 2008, Para 1). In order to avoid overwhelming costs for the agency all allocated funds must be used accordingly with the State HOPWA regulations. Allocated funds must not be used to replace any other funds or services available from other state, federal or local government funding State HOPWA Program Overview (n.d., Para 14). In evaluating this agency and the program offered there are no evident weak rules. The rules set forth by the federal and state agencies, which run this program are quite firm. The program focuses on a targeted population and does not deviate from its intended purpose. The eligibility rules are quite simple; thus, they provide clear goals and objectives. Unlike other

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programs that are underutilized this program serves the neediest people living with HIV-AIDS and only those. Hence, they do not underutilize the program by providing benefits to other individuals. In conclusion, after analyzing the eligibility rules set forth by the HUD-HOPWA program, it is evident that this program has been established with specific eligibility rules geared towards assisting low-income persons living with HIV-AIDS. This agency has incorporated a concrete program that meets specific needs and assists specific individuals and their families. By providing assistance to certain individuals under their specified rules, the agency is able to keep costs at minimum, avoid stigmatization, underutilization and keep their services directed toward their specified targeted population.

EVALUATING ELIGIBILITY RULES

References Chambers, D. E., & Wedel, K. R. (2005). Social policy and social programs: A method for the practical public policy analyst (4th ed.). Boston: Pearson Education. Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). (2008, October 28). HIV/AIDS Housing. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://www.hud.gov/offices/cpd/aidshousing/index.cfm Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2006, November). Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://nhl.gov/offices/cpd/aidshousing/library/factsheet2006.pdf Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2008, April 8). Fair Housing Laws and Presidential Executive Orders. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://www.hud.gov/offices/fheo/FHLaws/ Department of Housing and Urban Development. (2008, February 4). HOPWA Formula Program. Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://nhl.gov/offices/cpd/aidshousing/programs/formula/ State HOPWA Program Overview. (n.d.). Retrieved April 25, 2012, from http://www.charityadvantage.com/Health_Planning_Council_of_Southwest_FloridaQOITOJ/Stat eHOPWAProgramImplementation.pdf