Related videos:
More than 16,000 people living with HIV in Florida could lose access to their medications starting March 1, due to a $120 million cut in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).
The measure, driven by the administration of Governor Ron DeSantis, has sparked protests in Tallahassee and a strong response from civil organizations and public health experts.
Florida is the state with the highest number of new HIV infections in the United States, and the impact of these cuts would disproportionately affect African American and Latino communities.
Of the approximately 130,000 people living with the virus in the state, about 30,000 rely on the ADAP program to access their treatment.
According to the report from Telemundo 51, hundreds of activists demonstrated this week in front of the state Capitol and at the Department of Health headquarters to denounce what they consider a political decision that jeopardizes human lives.
Esteban Wood, director of Defense, Legislative Affairs, and Community Engagement for southern Florida at AIDS Healthcare Foundation, stated to EFE that the majority of HIV patients are African American and Latino.
"They are going to be significantly affected," he stated.
The Florida Department of Health alleges that the adjustments are due to federal changes, including the expiration in 2025 of subsidies linked to the Affordable Care Act (ACA).
As a result, starting in March, patients will need to demonstrate income below 130% of the federal poverty level—less than $20,345 per year—compared to the previous threshold of 400% (around $62,600). Additionally, they will be required to use generic medications.
Experts warn that these changes will not only disrupt treatments but also lead to preventable diseases and an increase in virus transmission.
Michael Rajner, an activist living with HIV and a collaborator with Equality Florida, stated that the official justification does not hold up, as it is not true that Florida has faced a cut in federal funds.
The epidemiological context worsens the situation.
Florida ranks third nationally in new HIV infections, with 16.7 diagnoses per 100,000 residents, a figure that rises to 33.3 in Miami-Dade County.
Additionally, the expiration of ACA subsidies and other federal cuts could raise the percentage of uninsured individuals in the state to nearly 17%.
Wood warned about the economic impact of the cut, noting that the cost of a private health insurance premium is $1,500 a month, and many people cannot afford it, which means they will have to drop their treatment.
"If they stop taking their medicine, that will cause a huge problem in terms of public health," he emphasized.
Organizations warn that, beyond the human tragedy, the cuts could ultimately be more costly to the healthcare system due to an increase in hospitalizations, infections, and transmissions.
For activists, it's not just about the budget; it's a political decision with direct consequences on the lives of thousands of people.
Filed under: