Florida health officials are hitting pause on a controversial plan that could have cut off lifesaving HIV medication for thousands of low-income residents after a legal challenge from advocates. Earlier this month, the Florida Department of Health announced plans to sharply reduce eligibility for the Florida AIDS Drug Assistance Program, or ADAP.
The proposal would have dropped the income limit from 400% of the federal poverty level to just 130%, potentially stripping access to treatment for as many as 16,000 Floridians. That move sparked swift action from the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which filed a complaint alleging the state failed to follow required rulemaking procedures.
AHF also filed a separate suit seeking records tied to what it calls an “undocumented $120 million budget shortfall.” Now, the state appears to be backing off its March 1 deadline. According to local reporting, the department has published notice of proposed rule changes, triggering a mandatory public review period.
AHF’s Esteban Wood said the delay proves “legal processes have not been followed…Floridians will now have a say in what happens to this program and its effect on them.” The fight comes amid broader concern over HIV funding, following proposed cuts during the Trump administration and rollbacks to USAID programs. Researchers warn this could have deadly global consequences. For now, advocates say, transparency — and treatment — remain on the line.
