Joint Statement on the Proposed Changes to Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program
ADAP Advocacy and HealthHIV Conjoin Patient and Provider Concerns Threatening the Well-Being of Floridians Living with HIV/AIDS
Washington, DC • March 3, 2026 – ADAP Advocacy and HealthHIV issued the following joint statement in response to the proposed changes to services for People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) as set forth in the Notice of Proposed Rule (NPR) #30517381, promulgated by the Florida Department of Health (DOH). ADAP Advocacy and HealthHIV have not previously submitted joint public comments; however, the magnitude and consequences of the proposed changes compel a unified response. The proposed changes to Florida Rules 64D-4.002, 64D-4.003, and 64D-4.007 necessitate a joint statement. Written comment was submitted to the state today.
Scott Bertani, Director of Advocacy of HealthHIV, “We applaud Florida’s HIV advocacy community for taking immediate, practical steps to stabilize care for the patients potentially being adversely impacted by the Florida Department of Health’s ill advised changes to that state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. We’re calling on Florida legislators to demand more accountability for why these proposed changes to the Florida ADAP are even being considered, especially since the department’s budget justification lacks any credibility. We’re working with HIV care providers on how best to assist their clients about coverage transitions, including what is changing, when it takes effect, and how to avoid care disruption.”
Brandon M. Macsata, CEO of ADAP Advocacy, echoed: “Let’s be clear, Florida’s Department of Health is embarking on a public health crisis in the Sunshine State. There will be treatment gaps; there will be patients falling out of care; there will be an increase in community viral load; there will be more new HIV infections; and the state will absorb more healthcare costs, not less. Adding fuel to this fire is the state using its ‘emergency rule’ authority, even though no true emergency exists, because its proposal is predicated on inaccurate cost estimates. Thousands of Floridians living with HIV are having their health, wellness, and potentially their lives put in harm’s way, and the Florida Legislature needs to step in and help them.”
To learn more about the joint statement issued by ADAP Advocacy and HealthHIV, please email [email protected] or [email protected].
About ADAP Advocacy:
The ADAP Advocacy mission is to promote and enhance the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) and improve access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. ADAP Advocacy works with advocates, community members, health care providers, government officials, patients, pharmaceutical companies, and other stakeholders to raise awareness, offer patient education programs, and foster greater community collaboration.
About HealthHIV
HealthHIV is a national non-profit working with organizations, communities, and health care providers to advance effective prevention, care, and support for people living with, or at risk for, HIV and HCV through education and training, technical assistance and capacity building, advocacy, and health services research and evaluation. HealthHIV leads the HealthHCV initiative, the National Center for Health Care Capacity Building, and the National Coalition for LGBTQ Health. Visit HealthHIV.org for more information.
