As a member of both the LGBTQ+ community and the Florida House of Representatives, I am alarmed at proposed changes to Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), and I am working to prevent these changes from taking place.
More than 30,000 patients living with HIV across Florida are holding their breath as Gov. Ron DeSantis’ Administration aims to cut funding for the lifesaving medications these patients depend on. More than half, about 16,000, would lose access altogether, as the cost of their medications would be more than $4,000 per month without insurance.
Dr. Elizabeth Sherman, a South Florida HIV Pharmacist, warned, “Florida risks reversing decades of progress. Restricting access to optimal HIV medications will increase drug resistance and treatment failure.” And as a social worker, I can assure you this will impact patient care, increase emergency room costs, and increase the spread of HIV throughout the State.
Of equal concern, is the timing. The Governor’s proposal to cancel the ADAP program came at the end of the Affordable Care Act open enrollment period, meaning his proposal to cut ADAP funding on March 1st will have given enrollees almost no time to prepare.
Moreover, transparency and accountability are wholly absent from this plan. There has been no public notice of proposed changes and no venue for public comment. These are required by Florida law. Nor has there been a fiscal review. Florida needs to show where ADAP funding comes from, how it is spent, and why it is slated for such drastic cuts before this Administration’s plan can be implemented.
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Inc. (AHF) initiated a lawsuit versus the Florida Department of Health (DOH) in Leon County on February 2 compelling DOH to produce records showing why it has decided to substantially reduce ADAP eligibility.
A hearing on the matter was scheduled to take place yesterday, but DOH filed last minute emergency rules on the ADAP restrictions in order to thwart the lawsuit, claiming the changes are based on a $120 million deficit. Unlike general rules, emergency rules take effect immediately and aren’t required to go through the rulemaking process. A legal challenge to that emergency rule is looming.
There is some hope for restored funding in the ongoing Legislature budget process, scheduled to end on March 13. The Senate Budget Chair indicated last week that the Chamber is prepared to fully restore funding for ADAP. The House Healthcare Budget Subcommittee Chair has indicated his investigation of the funding determination is ongoing, but that at least half of the funding should be restored.
I have worked with Members of the Florida Legislature to bring this entire debacle into the sunshine, to hold the Department of Health accountable, to explain to them why these cuts would be dangerous and irresponsible, and to move the Legislature as a whole to adopt the Senate version of the final State budget.
However, restoration of ADAP funding through the Legislative Budget process would not be processed until well after March 1 and would have to be approved by the Governor.
If you are a constituent of Florida, please let your voice be heard by calling your State Representative’s and State Senator’s offices. You may reach out to my office for additional support.
This letter is an updated version of the printed, and the matter is ongoing.
