Gov. Bush Eliminates Money for HIV Medications

[Rick Munroe]

(Through a link Les provided in another thread for local gay Floridian magazines, I came across this truly alarming news story. I'd urge any of our FL readers to contact your legislators.)

 

 

"Local healthcare advocates were shocked into action last week in the wake of Gov. Jeb Bush’s elimination of funding for the state’s Medically Needy Share of Cost program, which was part of his 2003-2004 state budget that he signed on Jan. 21. As a result, community leaders have organized a town hall meeting for Wednesday, Feb. 5, at 7pm at the GLCC.

 

"The medically needy program covers the cost of healthcare and medications for those who qualify under Medicaid, which includes Floridians on disability who have had a transplant, suffer from a catastrophic illness or are living with HIV/AIDS.

 

"The defunding came just weeks before President George Bush promised $15 billion to help pay for the healthcare of HIV/AIDS patients in Africa (see related story in this issue of The Express).

 

"Currently, HIV medications can cost more than $1,200 per month per person. “What this means is that the cost of medications will now have to be paid by other sources—if the money is there,” said Machelle Andrews, the director of fiscal operations for AIDS Project Florida (APFL). “When the medically needy money runs out, then programs such as Ryan White will be forced to pick up the bill. The other option is death.”

 

"APFL currently has 25 patients that are cared for through the medically needy program. The cost for healthcare and services for those individuals totals $12,500 per month, and the cost of medications average $30,000 per month.”

 

"“These are the figures of just one organization,” Andrews said. “There are three such organizations in Broward. There are hundreds across the state that will now have to find some way to pay for the treatment, service and medications for these people. Sadly, that could mean the elimination of other programs so that people can live.”

 

"Once the medically needy funds are depleted, those effected will have to get their medications through the county health department, at an average cost $15,000 per person per year.

 

"Bill Rettinger, a community advocate and area VII leader of the Broward Democratic Executive Committee, said, “I was always taught that the truest measure of the greatness of any society or citizenry was not how it treats its wealthiest members but instead how it treats its neediest…. With one little document, Gov. Bush has completely eliminated the program that all HIV and AIDS patients receive their medications under.”

 

"Rettinger stated that Bush had tried to eliminate the program for the past three years. In the present budget year, the program’s funding ceases at the end of April. There have been no alternative programs provided or even suggested, and on May 1, patients’ accessibility to healthcare and medications will end.

 

"“With the elimination of this program, Gov. Bush has effectively signed the death warrants for thousands of ill and needy Floridians,” Rettinger said. “Now is the time for the community to come together to help their friends and neighbors— they now need your help more than ever before. Otherwise, they will die.”

 

"Rettinger is asking everyone to write to all of Florida’s legislators, “both state and federal, Democrat and Republican alike, explain what the elimination of this program will cause and urge them to reinstate this program with complete funding in the next budget and also to fund this program completely after April of this year.”

 

"Rettinger urged citizens to inundate legislators with phone calls, faxes and e-mails to communicate their feelings on the matter. “It is up to us to prove that Florida really is a state that believes in taking care of its citizens and still deserves to be considered a great place to live, not the place to be killed,” he says. “Our neediest brothers and sisters are counting on you. Please don’t let them down.”"