Advocates Rally at Florida Capitol to Protect Lifesaving HIV Drug Access for Thousands, says AHF

RALLY: Wednesday, Feb. 18, 10:30 a.m., Tallahassee Capitol
RALLY: Thursday, Feb. 19, 10:30 a.m., Tallahassee Capitol

Two-day rally calls on Florida to maintain ADAP coverage for 16,000 people living with HIV who face loss of access to lifesaving medications

TALLAHASSEE, Fla.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Health care advocates, patients, and providers from across Florida will rally at the State Capitol this week to call for continued access to lifesaving HIV medications through the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Proposed changes to the program threaten to cut off more than 16,000 Floridians from the treatment they depend on to stay alive and healthy.

Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) provides lifesaving antiretroviral medications and insurance premium support to more than 30,000 Floridians living with HIV. Proposed changes would cut income eligibility from 400% to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level, approximately $20,345 a year for a single person. According to the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD), roughly half of all current ADAP clients fall in that range, meaning an estimated 16,000 people would lose coverage. These are working Floridians who earn too much for Medicaid but cannot afford HIV treatment on their own.

For patients, treatment interruption means drug resistance, viral rebound, and increased risk of transmission. ADAP works because it keeps people in consistent, uninterrupted care.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has filed legal action to protect ADAP access. A formal rulemaking process is underway with public comments accepted through March 4, 2026. Submit public comments here: https://flrules.org/Gateway/View_notice.asp?id=30517381

Both the Florida House and Senate have included provisions in their proposed budgets aimed at continuing ADAP. Those allocations will be finalized as session progresses. Advocates say the step is encouraging but that patients need guaranteed, uninterrupted access to care.

“We applaud the Florida House and Senate for recognizing this crisis and taking steps to continue ADAP. But there is still a lot of work to do to make sure our patients do not see a serious disruption in their care. ADAP works. It keeps people alive, in treatment, and virally suppressed, and we will keep fighting until all 16,000 people at risk have certainty that their medications will not be taken away,” said Esteban Wood, Director of Advocacy, Legislative Affairs & Community Engagement at AIDS Healthcare Foundation. “We want to thank every coalition partner, provider, and ADAP client who has shown up and refused to be silent. This movement belongs to you.”

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 2.8 million individuals across 50 countries, including the U.S. and in Africa, Latin America/Caribbean, the Asia/Pacific Region, and Eastern Europe. In January 2025, AHF received the MLK, Jr. Social Justice Award, The King Center’s highest recognition for an organization leading work in the social justice arena. To learn more about AHF, visit us online at AIDShealth.org, find us on Facebook, and follow us on Instagram, Twitter, and TikTok.

Contacts

Media Contacts:
Tonya Thurman, AHF Director of Mobilization Campaigns
Cell: 614-223-1532 | [email protected]

Ged Kenslea, AHF Senior Communications Director
Cell: 323-791-5526 | [email protected]