As many states across the nation face budget and funding shortfalls that are crippling their lifesaving AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs), AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the largest global AIDS organization, is urging President Barack Obama to redirect a portion of unspent stimulus funds in the Health and Human Services Department in order to address the growing ADAP crisis. In a letter sent earlier this week to President Obama AHF suggested, "One possible source for these funds is the roughly $20 billion in unspent and unallocated funding for HHS from the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act. A small portion of these funds re-directed to ADAPs could immediately resolve this crisis."
"Due to a perfect storm of state budget cuts, increased demand, and rising drug prices, these programs can no longer provide lifesaving antiretroviral treatment to all who need it," said Michael Weinstein, AIDS Healthcare Foundation President. "ADAPs nationwide are in a catastrophic state and without immediate intervention from the Obama administration, thousands of American lives will be at risk. We are asking President Obama to direct HHS Secretary Kathleen Sebelius to identify and transfer a small portion of the nearly $20 billion in unspent stimulus funding already within the Department of Health and Human Services Budget to address AIDS Drug Assistance Program funding crises across the country."
There are approximately 1.2 million people in the US living with HIV/AIDS today. ADAPs serve over 160,000 people, accounting for nearly one third of the people on AIDS treatment in the U.S. There are currently 1,143 people on ADAP waiting lists in 10 states, and as of June 1st, the State of Florida—which has the third highest HIV/AIDS population in the country—will also institute a waiting list.
AHF's letter to Obama also noted, "Tireless work is being done by advocates and other stakeholders to address this crisis. For example, the landmark health reform legislation passed by Congress includes assistance to ADAPs that will enable more people using the program to receive treatment through Medicare and Medicaid. In addition, AHF and other AIDS advocates have worked to secure increased contributions from AIDS drug companies to help alleviate the burden of drug prices on ADAP. However, these efforts will not be enough to ensure that ADAP can provide treatment to all those who need it right now."
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