Florida proposes cutting eligibility for an AIDS drug program, causing panic
Source: statnews
In a surprise move, Florida officials are proposing drastically reducing eligibility for the state AIDS drug assistance program, which critics say will force thousands of people to seek help to obtain HIV medicines and thwart efforts to combat the infectious disease.
The Florida Department of Health on Jan. 8 disclosed plans to end insurance premium assistance for enrollees, reduce income eligibility from 400% to 130% of the federal poverty level, and eliminate coverage of certain single-tablet HIV regimens, including two widely relied-on medicines. The changes are slated to take effect on March 1.
In announcing the proposal, the health department said the program faces a $120 million budget shortfall but has not released data to back the assertion. During a Senate hearing last week, Surgeon General Joseph Lapado acknowledged the change will create a “crisis,” but offered vague explanations about unspecified cuts in federal funding.
The proposal, which was unexpectedly posted on the department website without consultations with patient advocacy groups, has prompted alarm because as many as 16,000 of the 30,000 state enrollees may lose access to the program and its medicines. State officials, however, estimate the number of people who will be affected is closer to 10,000.
Read more: https://www.statnews.com/pharmalot/2026/01/20/florida-hiv-aids-gilead-health-insurance/
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