| ADAP Faces Funding Crisis
ADAP, the AIDS Drug Assistance program, is a federal program funded
primarily through the Ryan White CARE Act. ADAP saves thousands
of lives by providing HIV/AIDS drugs and services to people with
low incomes who are uninsured or who lack sufficient prescription
drug coverage. These funds come from the federal government and
are administered by each state. The states contribute a portion
of the funding; decide what drugs are covered and who is eligible.
New York has one of the most comprehensive ADAP programs in the
country.
What is the problem?
Nationwide ADAP is facing a fiscal crisis because of inadequate
federal and state funding, increased drug prices, and increased
demand for services. This has forced many states to implement limits
to treatment access, including waiting lists. As advocates, we have
been pushing for a $162 million increase to ADAP from the federal
government in this Fiscal Year 2003 appropriations bill to help
alleviate this crisis. This year, federal ADAP funding has been
increased by only $80 million, less than half of what is needed
nationwide.
New York's ADAP program grows at a consistent rate of $20 million
a year, while the funding for the program has not. In the current
year, ADAP has a $16 million structural deficit, and is projecting
as much as a $50 million shortfall for the coming year. The current
deficit has resulted in reductions to the ADAP program.
What is the solution?
In light of the lack of federal funding, we are also working to
motivate the state to increase its share of funding to New York's
ADAP program. For ADAP to meet current demands, NY State should
be contributing 20% of the total funding. Currently, the state is
only contributing 6.3% of funding to ADAP. We support the Executive
proposal to significantly increase ADAP funding through HCRA, the
Health Care Reform Act. The Governor has recently proposed annual
increases to ADAP over the next 2-¯ year HCRA reauthorization cycle
that total $46 million.
This is the Governor's proposal:
- January -December 2003: funding of up to $40 M
- January -December 2004: funding of up to $56M
- January -June 2005: funding of up to $30M (half year)
GMHC is coordinating a new community based coalition called the
New York State ADAP Working Group. We have been working together
to push for increased state funding to ADAP. We can not afford to
wait. The time to come together in coalition and save NY's vital
ADAP program is NOW. Please
join us.
© 2003 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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