Florida Legislature passes $30.9 million to restore HIV medication program cut to 10,000 residents

Both chambers approved the emergency bridge funding to restore ADAP eligibility through June 30
Emergency funding to restore the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program is now ready for Gov. Ron DeSantis.
Published: Mar. 12, 2026 at 4:55 PM CDT

TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (WCTV/Gray Florida Capital Bureau) - Emergency funding to restore the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program is now ready for Gov. Ron DeSantis.

The Florida Legislature has passed $30.9 million in emergency funding through June 30, 2026, after a Department of Health rule change in March cut more than 10,000 low-income Floridians off from HIV medication coverage.

Florida’s ADAP provides HIV medications and insurance assistance to low-income residents living with HIV. On March 1, the Department of Health reduced eligibility from 400% to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level, eliminated premium assistance, and removed medications from the program’s formulary.

The emergency appropriation restores eligibility to 400% of the Federal Poverty Level.

Florida politics:

AIDS Healthcare Foundation filed two lawsuits challenging the Department of Health’s emergency rules.