ORLANDO, Fla. \u2014\u00a0Thousands of Floridians living with HIV are at risk of losing access to potentially-lifesaving medication.<\/p>\n
What You Need To Know<\/p>\n
More than 15,000 HIV patients in Florida could lose access to their medications starting March 1 This comes as the Florida Department of Health changed its eligibility requirement for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program<\/a>, lowering income eligibility from at or below 400% of the federal poverty level to 130%.<\/p>\n More than 15,000 HIV patients in Florida could lose access to their medications starting March 1, following the changes.<\/p>\n Jos\u00e9 Aguilar is the founder and director of Aguilar Salud<\/a>, a nonprofit organization addressing healthcare disparities and serving Hispanic, Latinx, and LGBTQ+ communities in Orlando. He condemned the change to the eligibility requirement.<\/p>\n \u201cThese decisions are definitely going to cause a real, real impact emotionally, mentally, spiritually and physically to everyone in the community,\u201d he said.<\/p>\n Aguilar explained that the AIDS Drug Assistance Program<\/a>, known as (ADAP), is a core component of the Ryan White HIV\/AIDS Program. It\u2019s 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.<\/p>\n \u201cWhen 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,\u201d Aguilar said.<\/p>\n
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The Health Department changed its eligibility requirement for the\u00a0AIDS Drug Assistance Program<\/a>\u00a0lowering income eligibility from 400% of the federal poverty level to 130%
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The change comes amid rising health care insurance premiums nationwide
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According to the state, these adjustments will prevent a shortfall of more than $120 million for Florida<\/p>\n