Florida Restores Access to Low-Cost H.I.V. Medications After Uproar
Source: NYT
Florida on Tuesday approved nearly $31 million in short-term funding for H.I.V. medications for thousands of residents, reversing course after state health officials restricted access to a program that helps people afford the costly medications.
The Florida Department of Health had imposed tougher eligibility rules on March 1 that kicked more than 12,000 residents with H.I.V. out of the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program, potentially depriving them of lifesaving medications, according to the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, a nonprofit advocacy group.
The foundation sued the department over the changes. Protesters rallied in opposition in Fort Lauderdale and at the State Capitol in Tallahassee. The department had cited a projected $120 million state budget shortfall in restricting eligibility for the program.
This month, the Florida House of Representatives and State Senate, both led by Republicans, unanimously approved legislation that provides $30.9 million to fund the program through June 30 and restores the previous eligibility rules.
-snip-
Read more: https://www.nytimes.com/2026/03/25/health/florida-hiv-meds-assistance-program.html
DeSantis signed the bill into law yesterday.