Emergency rule cuts AIDS drug aid, affecting thousands in Florida
Florida’s Department of Health issued an emergency rule narrowing the AIDS Drug Assistance Program eligibility from 400% to 130% of the federal poverty level, cutting about 12,000 low-income HIV/AIDS patients off affordable medications starting March 1 as a lawsuit over the changes proceeds. The move bypasses standard rulemaking, drawing criticism that it’s budget-driven and could worsen transmission and drug resistance; some Medicare-insured patients remain eligible up to 400% FPL, and the program’s health-insurance component is being eliminated.
