The AIDS Drug Assistance Program Crisis in Florida Worsens

by Elizabeth Lombino · 2011-04-28 15:01:00 UTC
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Florida has been at the center of the ADAP Crisis since the beginning. Now it seems that the crisis could get even worse.

The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), is a vital program that assists HIV-positive individuals with paying for the incredibly expensive medications needed to treat and manage this devastating disease. Without these essential medications, a person’s HIV disease is more likely to progress to AIDS. HIV/AIDS can become life-threatening.

For a variety of reasons, ADAP funding is being slashed in many states across the country. Thousands of HIV-positive people have been terminated from the program and thousands more are being placed on waiting lists. This means that a person living with HIV/AIDS may need to wait to receive the medications they need to save their life.

As of April 14, there are 7,885 people in 11 states on ADAP waiting lists. Florida currently has 3,807 people on their waiting list.  Florida has always had the most number of people on these waiting lists. This is a complete travesty.

Recently, Florida officials announced that they are looking to enforce stricter guidelines for their ADAP eligibility requirements. The Florida Department of Health’s Bureau of HIV/AIDS is proposing to require that a person's income be 200% the national poverty level to be eligible; not 400% as is the current requirement. This move would completely terminate hundreds of HIV-positive people from ADAP due to their "too high" income level. No waiting list, just total loss. This could be beyond disastrous for all HIV-positive individuals living in Florida.

Florida officials have tried this tactic already, and were unsuccessful. A few months ago, officials decided to cancel a public hearing to discuss the same changes they are proposing now. Clearly this is not a universally popular move on the part of these officials.

Advocates are uniting to continue to fight this proposal. They have been successful in the past, they hope to be successful again. Cutting ADAP funding and making any changes that put more HIV-positive individuals at risk is completely inhumane. Those living with HIV/AIDS need assistance and compassion. They are able to live a full life -- only with the very medications these officials are attempting to restrict further access to. Advocates will continue the fight to ensure the ADAP Crisis in Florida does not get any worse than it already is.

You can join the fight as well. Please take some time to sign the petition demanding Florida officials to fully fund ADAP for all HIV+ Florida residents. Already, close to 1,000 of you have signed the petition! Thank you for your support. Please continue to share this important action with your network. Together, we can end any further negative changes to ADAP assistance in Florida. Together, we can end this crisis!

Photo Credit: Red Ribbon Army

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