The Elton John AIDS Foundation delivered a second letter to Florida Gov. Rick Scott today, expressing the foundation’s concern over the Scott administration’s continued consideration over reducing eligibility for Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program. #

AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, a nationwide payer of last resort for people who cannot afford their HIV/AIDS medications, has been in a funding crisis since 2010, which prompted many states, including Florida, to implement cost-containment measures such as waiting lists. #

Over the last three months, Florida — which has the longest ADAP waiting list in the U.S. — has been considering changing Drug Assistance Program income eligibility requirements from 400 percent of the federal poverty level to 200 percent. #

Simply put: A person who earns $30,000 a year would not qualify for the Drug Assistance Program. HIV/AIDS drugs cost between $10,000 and $20,000 a year. #

Along with its letter, the Elton John AIDS Foundation delivered the signatures of more than 4,200 people who have signed an online petition, “calling on Florida Governor Rick Scott to not cut HIV med access to those in need.” #

Ben Yarrow, a principal with West Wing Writers and a spokesman for the John foundation, tells The Florida Independent that the petition, launched just over two weeks ago, shows there is significant public concern over the proposed reduction. Yarrow says the organization will continue to follow the governor’s response because the Drug Assistance Program crisis is most acute in Florida. #

In response to the first letter issued by the Elton John AIDS Foundation, Florida Surgeon General Frank Farmer wrote: #

In an effort to ensure that Florida is allocating the dollars appropriated for AIDS drugs to those who are most vulnerable, the Department of Health is examining the current eligibility standards for the ADAP program. #

The Department has conducted public hearings to solicit input on the impact of adjusting the income standards for the program, which are currently at 400% of the Federal PovertyLevel. If the income eligibility threshold is modified to give priority to a more needy population, individuals with AIDS who have extraordinary medical expenses and whose incomes would no longer qualify for the program could still receive assistance through Florida’s Medicaid for the Medically Needy program. #

The farmer then goes on to “cordially invite you to consider an ADAP fundraising concert series in Florida. We would love to welcome you to the Sunshine State and I am confident your concerts will be a huge hit!” (Read the full letter below.) #

The Elton John AIDS Foundation letter adds that “lowering the eligibility requirements for ADAP would have a deadly, costly, and widespread impact in Florida and across the South.” #

It adds that such a reduction would cut more than 1,600 people from the Drug Assistance Program, and “thousands more on the existing waiting list would have no guarantee and very little hope of receiving medication through other means.” (Read the full letter below.) #

Letter to Gov. Scott
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Letter from Farmer
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