Sign to Ask Congress to Increase ADAP Funding for FY 2012

The Illinois Department of Public Health announced service cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which will reduce access to the program beginning July 1, 2011. Click here for the AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s response to the announcement. These cuts will change the eligibility limit for ADAP from 500 percent to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Limit, potentially meaning hundreds of HIV-positive Illinoisans will not have access to lifesaving HIV medications. One way to ensure continued funding for ADAP in Illinois is for Congress to pass a $131 million increase for ADAP funding in FY 2012.

Click here to sign the letter asking the Illinois Congressional Delegation to work in Congress to appropriate a $131 million increase for ADAP funding in FY 2012. Please sign on by Friday, April 29, 2011!

Click here to ask Governor Quinn and the Illinois General Assembly to adequately fund ADAP.

Dear Illinois Congressional Delegation,

As HIV/AIDS organizations and advocates in Illinois, we are deeply concerned about the ever-mounting crisis facing the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). On Friday, April 15th, the Illinois Department of Public Health announced that it would reduce access to ADAP starting July 1. At that time, the eligibility limit will be cut from 500 percent to 300 percent of the Federal Poverty Limit. This means that hundreds of low and middle-income individuals with HIV will not be able to access critical lifesaving HIV medications, which can cost $18,000 or more annually. Your leadership is urgently needed to protect the lives of HIV-positive Illinoisans.

ADAP is an essential safety-net for HIV-positive people who cannot afford their lifesaving HIV therapies. However, the economic downturn, high unemployment, and loss of private health insurance are driving never-before-seen high levels of need for the program across the nation, and in our state.

As of April 15, nearly 8,000 people from 11 states across the nation are on a wait list for lifesaving HIV/AIDS medications. Additionally, nearly 20 states have instituted cost-containment measures that result in decreased eligibility, restricted drug formularies, and increased client cost sharing. These numbers are unprecedented.

ADAP has long been the cornerstone in the state’s fight against HIV/AIDS. For a number of years, ADAP has been a reliable, stable source of assistance for millions of low-income people with HIV who have no other way of obtaining the lifesaving HIV therapies that they need. Few people can afford medications exceeding $18,000 a year.

ADAP helps ensure that the lowest income residents, as well as under-insured and un-insured middle-class workers, receive the assistance they need to stay healthy. The medications provided through the program meet the most important needs of people with HIV to maintain their health. Perhaps most importantly, from the taxpayers’ point of view, ADAP is extremely well run and efficient. It also prevents HIV-positive individuals from becoming sick; thus they can work, pay taxes and avoid costly medical care, much of which is traditionally provided by the state.

However, in order to ensure that the individual and community health benefits afforded by ADAP continue, increased investment in ADAP must occur. On behalf of the 46,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in the Illinois, we implore you to work with your colleagues in Congress and appropriate a $131 million increase for ADAP funding in FY 2012 to support ADAP in Illinois and across the nation for the following reasons:

ADAP wait lists and other cost-containment measures will cause people with HIV to become needlessly sick and die.

ADAP funding will promote jobs and employment by keeping people with HIV healthy enough to work.

ADAP waiting lists will worsen existing racial and economic health disparities.

ADAPs must keep pace with HIV testing and treatment guidelines.

Investing funds in ADAP will save money elsewhere in the health care system by keeping people with HIV healthy and preventing illnesses and unnecessary hospitalizations.

Providing widespread HIV treatment will reduce new HIV infections.


Ultimately, the need for ADAP will continue to grow as people with HIV live longer and as stepped-up HIV testing efforts identify more people with HIV and link them to medical care. We urge you to ensure that the need does not go unmet and that adequate funding is provided to make ADAP solvent.

We look forward to your response on this urgent matter. Please contact Keith R. Green, AIDS Foundation of Chicago’s Director of Federal Affairs, 312-334-0929, with your response and any follow up questions.


Sincerely,

CLICK HERE TO SIGN THE LETTER AND SEND IT TO THE ILLINOIS CONGRESSIONAL DELEGATION.