Equality Florida Responds: Florida Lawmakers Reach Deal to Reverse Cuts to HIV Care
Equality Florida Responds: Florida Lawmakers Reach Deal to Reverse Cuts to HIV Care
Equality Florida Executive Director Stratton Pollitzer issued the following statement:
“No one should have to fight political battles just to access healthcare. Healthcare is not a political tactic, and people living with HIV deserve stability, dignity, and uninterrupted access to care. We are relieved and grateful that Florida lawmakers took an important step toward protecting access to lifesaving HIV care through the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides critical medication, treatment, and stability.
This vital progress happened because individual advocates, healthcare providers, and partners like AIDS Healthcare Foundation refused to stay silent and fought tirelessly to protect Floridians living with HIV and community health as a whole.
We hope Florida’s government will continue doing the right thing by protecting the health and wellbeing of the thousands of Floridians who depend on this care every day, because the work is far from over.”
After drastic cuts and months of uncertainty surrounding the future of the program, Florida’s budget now provides:
- $75 million in funding
- Preserves the existing eligibility threshold at 400% federal poverty level
- Restores access to highly effective and widely used medications like Biktarvy, and
- Ensures more program oversight