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The state Department of Health and
Human Services (DHHS) on Monday said a $3 million federal grant will allow it
to provide free treatment to 278 HIV patients who have been on a waiting list
for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. The Obama administration announced in
July it was sending states funding to eliminate ADAP waiting lists.
“It’s a great thing,” said Stuart
Campbell, executive director of Equality North Carolina, a gay advocacy group.
“It brings the waiting list down to zero and really demonstrates how important
public investment is in this kind of fight to combat HIV and AIDS.”
About 6,100 North Carolinians are
enrolled in ADAP. In January 2010, the state announced it would create an ADAP
waiting list and that no more people would be accepted into the program because
it was running out of money. By July 2010, 829 people were on the waiting list
when the state found additional money to reduce it by 650 people.
Under continuing tighter eligibility
requirements, ADAP is open to those making at or below 300 percent of the
federal poverty level ($33,510 for a single person); however, new patients who
make more than 125 percent of the federal poverty level (about $14,000) will be
put on the waiting list.
The new funds are more than enough
to eliminate the current waiting list, said Chrissy Pearson, an advisor to
acting DHHS Secretary Al Delia. DHHS is considering a monthly review of new
applicants to see how many more can be assisted, she said.
The Friends of AIDS Foundation is
dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and
empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV
virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.
TOGETHER WE REMAIN STRONG!
