New Report on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs
"ADAP Watch," National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors: The report found that a total of 529 people in Alaska, Montana, Puerto Rico and South Carolina were on waiting lists for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs as of May 16 (ADAP Watch, 6/25). ADAPs are federal- and state-funded programs that provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 5/10). Alaska's waiting list has one person, Montana's has 22 people, Puerto Rico's has 36 people and South Carolina's has 470 people (ADAP Watch, 6/25). The report also found that two ADAPs have adopted additional cost-containment measures to stay financially solvent. These measures include capped enrollment and formulary management, which have been instituted since April 1 (NASTAD release, 6/25). Indiana and Michigan have implemented such measures, according to the report. Kentucky reported that it anticipates having to implement new cost-containment measures during the current ADAP fiscal year, which ends on March 31, 2008 (ADAP Watch, 6/25).
According to the report, many states in FY 2007 received a significant funding increase because of new Ryan White Program funding formulas. Twelve states have indicated that they will be able to bolster their ADAPs because of these funding increases by:
- Expanding program formularies;
- Eliminating the need for waiting lists;
- Adding staff members;
- Enhancing primary care;
- Raising financial eligibility;
- Increasing capacity; and
- Removing clients from waiting lists.