Florida Department of Health cuts thousands of dollars in funds from HIV and AIDS drug program

February 27, 2026 - 00:35

A significant reduction in financial aid for life-saving medications is set to begin in Florida this weekend. The state's Department of Health is implementing sharp cuts to its AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), drastically narrowing eligibility for thousands of residents.

Effective Sunday, the program will only provide subsidy funds to individuals with incomes at or below 130% of the federal poverty level. This marks a severe drop from the previous threshold of 400%. The change removes state financial support for a substantial portion of current beneficiaries who now find themselves above the new, much lower income cap.

The ADAP program is a critical lifeline, helping eligible individuals living with HIV and AIDS afford expensive antiretroviral drugs and related medications. These treatments are essential for managing the virus, maintaining health, and reducing viral load to prevent transmission.

Public health advocates express deep concern that the funding cut will create a dangerous barrier to care. They warn that individuals who lose assistance may be forced to ration or abandon their medication regimens, leading to worsened health outcomes and an increased risk of spreading the virus. The policy shift arrives as Florida continues to report high rates of new HIV diagnoses, underscoring the ongoing need for robust prevention and treatment services.