POZ Community Forums
Meds, Mind, Body & Benefits => Insurance, Benefits Programs & HIV => Topic started by: cardsfan69 on August 02, 2011, 06:08:30 pm
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http://www.poz.com/rssredir/articles/Governemtn_Reverses_Position_1_20912.shtml
This means that the state wont have to cut the FPL eligibility level from 400 to 200 percent and kick off people already enrolled in the ADAP program.
Now let's get some more money and get all the people on the waiting list.....off it.
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Actually, not to rain on your parade, but all the feds did was said that Florida could have access to $7 million in emergency funding as opposed to the lower $3 million (I believe it was $3 mil.) that it would have gotten had the original decision stood. It does not mean that Florida still won't implement cost containment measures, such as lowering the % of FPL that a person can be at in order to qualify.
The $7 mil. allows Florida's ADAP to function only at current level - does not eliminate the wait list and does not take into account increases in drug prices for meds - which, as we all know will occur. While the state may not go to a 200% or less of FPL - I don't see them staying at 400%, particularly when many other states have lowered their levels. Given the federal budget deficit and move on to reduce federal spending, I think you will see them lower it to 300%; further restrict the medications available; and place other criteria which prioritizes those on the wait list (which they already do in most cases) for those persons with CD4s below 200.
Keep in mind that whether it be $3 mil or $7 mil - it is "emergency funding" and only meant to be a stop gap measure - the state will still be under mandate from the feds to show a cost containment plan and/or to increase the share of state general revenue funding for the program (which is not going to happen in Florida given the current governor and economic climate).