AHF Launches Statewide Campaign Urging Full Restoration of Florida's AIDS Drug Assistance Program

More than 12,000 Floridians risk losing access to lifesaving HIV medication if permanent funding is not secured before July 1

FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) today launched a statewide public awareness campaign calling on Governor Ron DeSantis and Florida Legislature to fully restore the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) before stopgap funding expires on June 30.

ADAP provides lifesaving HIV medication and insurance premium assistance to Floridians who cannot otherwise afford treatment. When patients are on their medication, they stay healthy and cannot transmit the virus. ADAP is how Florida controls the spread of HIV.

Beginning in March, the Department of Health cut ADAP eligibility for over 11,000 Floridians, ended insurance premium assistance, and removed Biktarvy, one of the most prescribed HIV treatments in the country, from the drug formulary. The Legislature responded unanimously and on a bipartisan basis, passing HB 697 to provide $31 million in temporary funding. Governor DeSantis signed it into law. But without permanent action in the FY 2026-27 budget, the cuts return July 1.

"This program works. It keeps people alive, it prevents new HIV cases, and it pays for itself. There is no justification for dismantling it," said Esteban Wood, AHF Director of Advocacy, Legislative Affairs & Community Engagement. "The Legislature has already shown this is not a partisan issue. Now we need permanent restoration. Twelve thousand Floridians cannot afford to wait."

The campaign runs through mid-May across cable television, radio, digital, and print, and encourages Floridians to contact Governor DeSantis at [phone] and their local leaders to urge full restoration of ADAP.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the world’s largest HIV/AIDS healthcare organization, provides cutting-edge medicine and advocacy to more than 2.9 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.