TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WTXL) \u2014 Advocates rallied in Tallahassee against Florida’s HIV medication cuts again on Wednesday as lawmakers called for federal intervention to restore ADAP funding.<\/p>\n
Advocates and lawmakers are urging Gov. Ron DeSantis to reverse changes to Florida\u2019s HIV medication eligibility rules.Healthcare professionals warn the cuts could disrupt care for low-income individuals and families living with HIV.Watch the video below to hear the warning from lawmakers to Governor DeSantis.<\/p>\n
Advocates head to DOH pushing back against Florida’s HIV medication funding cuts<\/p>\n
BROADCAST TRANSCRIPT:<\/p>\n
From the State Capitol to the Department of Health, the debate over Florida\u2019s HIV medication cuts continues to grow.<\/p>\n
I am neighborhood reporter Lentheus Chaney in southeast Tallahassee, where I spoke with healthcare professionals and neighbors living with HIV about how DOH changes could impact their care and their future.<\/p>\n
Supporters and advocates rallied for a second day in Tallahassee, this time at Florida\u2019s Department of Health.<\/p>\n
The effort to restore ADAP funding continued online as well.<\/p>\n
In a virtual news conference, members of Congress and healthcare advocates called on Gov. Ron DeSantis to reverse the state\u2019s decision.<\/p>\n
Lawmakers, including Congresswoman Debbie Wasserman Schultz, are calling for the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services to intervene.<\/p>\n
\u201cSo I\u2019m proud to stand alongside my fellow Florida Democrats in Congress and all of the incredible advocates who are fighting this to tell Governor DeSantis this: you got caught, and now you must immediately reverse course,\u201d Schultz said.<\/p>\n
Over at the Department of Health, advocates say the state\u2019s new eligibility rollback would leave single adults making just over $20,000 a year and families of four making just over $41,000 without coverage.<\/p>\n
Advocate Michael Rajner says without coverage, his HIV medications would cost more than $9,000.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s going to cost people a lot, and it\u2019s going to cost people their lives in some cases potentially. We\u2019re already seeing clients being lost to care, and basically this building has a chance to change the course of that direction,\u201d Rajner said.<\/p>\n
In a statement, the Florida Department of Health says the changes are necessary because of rising insurance costs and a lack of additional federal funding.<\/p>\n
State officials say the department remains committed to the program and will continue covering HIV medication costs for individuals who are still eligible.<\/p>\n
Dr. Paul Arons says lawmakers must decide whether budget limits should outweigh the risk of interrupted care for people living with HIV.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe government needs to find that money, which is actually, if you look at the governor\u2019s budget, $117 billion. This money that they\u2019re short is one-tenth of 1% of that budget. There\u2019s money somewhere to bridge this gap and save the lives and health of these patients,\u201d Arons said.<\/p>\n
Arons says he feels confident lawmakers are listening, but advocates will keep pressing for changes they believe protect patients and public health.<\/p>\n
In Southeast Tallahassee, I am neighborhood reporter Lentheus Chaney, ABC 27.<\/p>\n
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