Just a few decades ago, human immunodeficiency virus, or HIV, was a death sentence for those who contracted it.

Over the past 35 years, federal investment, more effective medication, and widespread access to care and treatment through

AIDS drug assistance programs, or ADAPs, have helped those with the virus live longer, healthier

lives. As of 2024, roughly a quarter of a million people received care through ADAPs.

But in the coming months, tens of thousands of people living with HIV in the U.S. could lose access

to that care. That's because states around the country are trying to save money, in part,

by making cuts to their programs that provide HIV meds and care. Take Florida, for example,

in March, more than 16,000 people lost coverage when the state slashed eligibility for ADAP

overnight. Weeks later, Florida's

Republican governor, Ron DeSantis, signed a law allocating $31 million to keep thousands of those

who lost coverage on their meds. But that money has only slated to last through June, and it's not

just happening in Florida. 23 states and Washington, D.C., have implemented or are considering implementing cuts to their own HIV treatment and care programs to help balance their budgets.

That's according to data from the National Association of State and Territorial AIDS Directors.

We'll hear from them later in the conversation.

But first, if you rely on your state's ADAP to get HIV meds and care,

what do you need to know about the changes that could be coming? And what's at stake for U.S.

public health if thousands of people lose access to these lifesaving medications?

I'm Jen White. You're listening to the 1A podcast, answers to those questions and more after the

break. We'll be right back.

Welcome back to the 1A podcast. We're talking about changes to the AIDS drug assistance programs

and what that means for people living with HIV in the U.S. Joining us from New York is Tim Murphy.

He's written about HIV, AIDS, and LGBTQ issues for more than 30 years for publications

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