Judge Rules PA Medicaid Must Pay for HIV Patient's Liver Transplant

An administrative law judge has ruled that an HIV-positive man was wrongly denied coverage for a liver trasplant under the state's Medicaid program.

William Jean Gough, 46, whose liver is deteriorating because of hepatitis C, is one the transplant waiting list at the University of Pittsburgh's Thomas E. Starzl Transplant Institute.

The state Department of Public Welfare denied coverage for Gough, saying that infection with the AIDS virus is a life-limiting condition that rules out a transplant.

But Judge Bernadene Kennedy dismissed the state's argument, saying Gough "could live 10, 20, 30 years or more with a liver transplant,

"Given his ability to successfully control his HIV, the appellant may live a prolonged life and maintain quality of life equivalent to non-HIV transplant patients," Kennedy wrote.

The state Department of Public Welfare said it would not appeal the judge's ruling.

Other Sources: Pennsyhlvania Department of Public Welfare, Philadelphia Inquirer