Florida lawmakers have passed emergency legislation to restore access to HIV medications for thousands of residents who lost coverage under the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program earlier this year.
Gov. Ron DeSantis signed CS/HB 697 into law March 24, allocating $30.9 million in nonrecurring funding to maintain the program through June 30. The law restores eligibility to low-income individuals, defined as those earning 400% or below of the federal poverty level, and allows for direct medication distribution without insurance, according to the legislation.
On March 1, the Florida Department of Health restricted eligibility, citing a projected $120 million budget shortfall. The decision removed more than 12,000 residents from the program, according to a March 25 report by The New York Times.
The new law requires the health department to maintain the March 1 drug formulary, submit monthly financial and enrollment reports and adopt emergency rules to implement the program.
It is unclear what will happen after June 30, the Times said, and lawmakers have indicated additional steps may be needed to stabilize the program’s long-term funding.
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