PI Action alerts & updates ... 1997

Fiscal Crisis in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program Continues

Project Inform urges Congress to approve $132 million
increase for crucial program

Project Inform, a leading national HIV/AIDS treatment and research advocacy organization, is calling on Congress to support a $132 million increase in the Fiscal Year 1998 budget for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). ADAPs across the country have been unable to consistently provide effective HIV treatment to eligible participants due to a number of factors, including inadequate federal and state funding. Adequate funding for this program would allow more HIV positive individuals to access therapies that have been shown to delay disease progression.

ADAPs provide HIV/AIDS treatments at low or no cost to people living with HIV and AIDS on a limited income in all fifty states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands. This treatment access program is intended to serve the low-income HIV positive person who has no other source of prescription reimbursement. The programs are generally funded by a combination of federal (Ryan White CARE Act) and state funds.

The $132 million increase, identified by advocates as needed to alleviate the current fiscal crisis in ADAPs nationwide, was approved by the House Appropriations Committee in July. However, the Senate Appropriations Committee has only offered an inadequate $50 million increase for the program. After Congress returns from its August recess, the full House and Senate will vote on its versions of the appropriations bill. After that, a joint House/Senate conference committee will convene to iron out differences.

“A $132 million increase will go a long way toward allowing state ADAPs to provide access to promising new therapies,” stated Anne Donnelly, public policy director. “Even though the new federal guidelines on the use of HIV antiretrovirals state explicitly the importance of combination therapy, including protease inhibitors, many state ADAPs are unable to supply these treatments to all who need them. The full Senate and House must approve the funding level for ADAP set by the House Appropriations Committee.”

According to a July, 1997 report by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, the AIDS Treatment Data Network, and the Henry J. Kaiser Family Foundation on state ADAPs, the majority of states have had to implement emergency restrictions to deal with their fiscal crises. Arkansas, Nevada, Oregon, and South Dakota do not yet offer protease inhibitors to their clients. Fifteen programs have either capped or restricted access to protease inhibitors. Twelve programs have capped ADAP enrollment. Many other programs have been forced to transfer funds from other AIDS-specific services or other health department funds to ADAP, instituted waiting lists, reduced the number of drugs covered by ADAP formularies, or revised ADAP financial eligibility criteria by lowering income levels.

“ADAP consumers in President Clinton’s home state can not access the treatments that have brought so much hope to many people living with HIV and AIDS,” continued Donnelly. “We urge the Clinton Administration to actively support the $132 million increase for ADAP by communicating this priority to members of Congress.”

In addition to ADAP, Project Inform supports the highest possible increases for all Titles of the Ryan White CARE Act, as well as all HIV/AIDS research, prevention, and housing programs. New treatments have brought much hope, but the epidemic is not over and the government’s response must continue to be comprehensive.

Project Inform is actively organizing grassroots support for increased funding by mobilizing its 1,500 member Treatment Action Network (TAN). TAN is the largest grassroots network of individuals lobbying on HIV/AIDS treatment and research issues. TAN members across the country are calling, writing, and meeting with their elected officials to communicate the need for more AIDS funding. Anyone interested in participating in this effort is encouraged to contact Ryan Clary, Treatment Action Network Coordinator, at 415-558-8669 or TAN@projectinform.org.