ORLANDO, Fla. — Thousands of Floridians living with HIV are at risk of losing access to potentially-lifesaving medication.

What You Need To Know

More than 15,000 HIV patients in Florida could lose access to their medications starting March 1

The Health Department changed its eligibility requirement for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program lowering income eligibility from 400% of the federal poverty level to 130%

The change comes amid rising health care insurance premiums nationwide

According to the state, these adjustments will prevent a shortfall of more than $120 million for Florida

This comes as the Florida Department of Health changed its eligibility requirement for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, lowering income eligibility from at or below 400% of the federal poverty level to 130%.

More than 15,000 HIV patients in Florida could lose access to their medications starting March 1, following the changes.

José Aguilar is the founder and director of Aguilar Salud, a nonprofit organization addressing healthcare disparities and serving Hispanic, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities in Orlando. He condemned the change to the eligibility requirement.

“These decisions are definitely going to cause a real, real impact emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically to everyone in the community,” he said.

Aguilar explained that the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, known as (ADAP), is a core component of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. It’s a federally funded prescription medication program for low-income people living with HIV that provides access to medications to those eligible. The program has saved thousands of lives, including his.

“When I got to this country Ryan White saved my life because I stayed in treatment, because of Ryan White, I stayed undetectable, healthy and safe or healthy from transmitting HIV to others because of Ryan White. Until I was self-sufficient and financially stable enough to cover my health insurance,” Aguilar said.

Data from the Florida Department of Health shows that in 2024, a total of 10,587 individuals were living with HIV in Orange County, the third highest in the state, behind Miami Dade and Broward.

“We must ensure that everybody gets treatment,” Aguilar said. “I don’t want to have HIV. I don’t want to have my body going through inflammation every day. I don’t want to go through a stigma, through discrimination.”

According to the Florida Department of Health, due to rising health care insurance premiums nationwide and lack of additional funding, they had to make adjustments to address a shortfall of more than $120 million.

Aguilar said as a result of the change, people who can’t afford treatment might decide to stop taking their medications and it could have a big impact in the community at large.

“This can create a public health issue, a catastrophe that can even develop even new resistances of HIV,” Aguilar said.

Ethan Suarez is the Chief Executive Officer at Pineapple Healthcare, a multi-location medical practice that specializes in infectious disease management, HIV/AIDS care and comprehensive primary and behavioral health care for individuals ages 13 and older.

He said the change on the income eligibility criteria will affect some of the patients they treat at their facility.

“It equals about someone making about $20,000 a year, which is very low, now they can’t access their medications, their insurance or anything like that. So essentially, you’re putting lives at risk not just for the patient, but for the community,” Suarez said.

They are working to find other resources to help patients still have access to medications and treatment.

“We have notified them and we will transition them into different insurance programs through our subsidy program handled by our foundation. But some of the patients that are seen in the community are really at odds of they don’t know what they’re going to do,” Suarez said.

Aguilar also encouraged those impacted by the change to seek other options instead of stopping treatment.

“I am living with HIV. I’m thriving with HIV, and HIV treatment is my main key. Do not stop your treatment. Do not wait until the last minute to find resources. We, the community organizations, are here to help,” Aguilar said.