PRESS RELEASE: Equality Florida Statement on Governor DeSantis Signing ADAP Emergency Funding

Equality Florida Statement on Governor DeSantis Signing ADAP Emergency Funding

Tallahassee, FL — Today, Governor Ron DeSantis signed legislation that includes emergency stopgap funding to restore access to HIV medications for more than 10,000 Floridians through the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), effective immediately.

Passed unanimously by the Florida Legislature, this life-saving funding comes after the Florida Department of Health’s cruel decision to slash ADAP eligibility, putting thousands of people living with HIV at risk of losing access to their medication.

Equality Florida’s Public Policy Director Jon Harris Maurer provided the following statement:

“This is a powerful reminder of what’s possible when people refuse to stay silent. Because people living with HIV, providers, and other advocates spoke out and demanded action, more than 10,000 Floridians will continue receiving the medications they rely on.

But let’s be clear, the fight isn’t over. Lawmakers must follow through with long-term funding in the state budget to ensure that this does not become a public health crisis once again.

We are deeply grateful to the HIV advocates and providers who worked tirelessly to raise the alarm and to the bipartisan group of lawmakers who acted quickly to secure this funding, ensure access to care, and protect public health for all Floridians. Equality Florida will continue working alongside partners to ensure ADAP is properly funded and Floridians living with HIV have the care they need to thrive.”

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Equality Florida is Florida's statewide civil rights organization dedicated to securing full equality for Florida's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, and queer (LGBTQ) community. For over 25 years, Equality Florida has worked hard to make our state a welcoming and inclusive place to live, work, and visit. We've led the passage of policies at the local and state level to respect and protect our community in schools, in the workplace, in healthcare, and in caring for our loved ones. This experience has made Equality Florida uniquely suited to create real and lasting change for LGBTQ Floridians. Through lobbying, grassroots organizing, education, and coalition building, we are changing Florida so that no one suffers harassment or discrimination on the basis of their sexual orientation or gender identity.