AIDS: The Texas Health Care Financing Administration (HCFA) had denied Medicaid coverage of Serostim as a cosmetic treatment, but reversed that decision following a Food and Drug Administration (FDA) letter that said the drug was approved for AIDS wasting. The drug, produced by Serono Laboratories, is used as a treatment for AIDS wasting, which is a contributing factor in the death rate of patients with AIDS. Serostim is a human growth hormone which causes a significant increase in lean body mass and weight, along with a decrease in body fat. In clinical trials, 76 percent of AIDS wasting patients on the drug gained weight, and 70 percent gained body mass. The National Association of People with AIDS will continue work with Federal funding, to ensure Serostim is covered for patients who do not receive Medicaid coverage.