July 14, 2008 ADAP Advocacy Association Decries Return of ADAP Waiting Lists; For Immediate Release “It is unthinkable that States are already reporting waiting lists when they have been awarded their Title II grants only a few months ago,” said aaa+ board co-chair Phil Haddad, M.D. “Does it raise the prospect that we should be bracing ourselves for additional States to report similar challenges, placing more individuals living with the disease in jeopardy for illness, or even death?” The ADAP fiscal years begin April 1st and end March 31st and ADAP grants were released on April 7, 2008. Haddad noted that aaa+ prepared for such bad news when the organization, together with the Title II Community AIDS National Network (TIICANN), launched its “Access to Care Domestic HIV/AIDS Initiative” in May 2008, which it included a call to action on federal ADAP funding. He argued that more should be done immediately to provide additional resources to both Indiana and Montana to address their waiting lists. The “Access to Care Domestic HIV/AIDS Initiative” is focusing on numerous emerging challenges, including: “When it was reported earlier this year that the ADAP waiting lists had been eliminated, many of us cautioned that the relief was most likely temporary,” said Brandon M. Macsata, aaa+ CEO. “It also led many advocates in our community to question whether certain changes in eligibility requirements were artificially suppressing the number of clients trying to access services, and therefore under-reporting possible waiting lists.” Macsata stated that from increased federal funding, additional transparency in the ADAP program is needed to truly determine the need for such services nationwide. Each State is authorized under the Ryan White law to determine its own eligibility requirements for Highly Active Antiretroviral Therapy (HAART) and other HIV-related medications. By restricting eligibility for ADAP services, clients could be forced to seek their medications from other public health programs, or forego services altogether. “As an ADAP recipient myself, any report of the waiting lists returning sends a cold chill up my spine,” noted Keita Simmons, aaa+ board member. “It is time for the President and Congress to declare this problem a state of emergency, followed by comprehensive reforms that will address programmatic challenges such as waiting lists for live-saving medications.” Additional information about the ADAP waiting lists, as well as talking points on ADAP Waiting Lists, can be obtained online at http://www.adapadvocacyassociation.org. aaa+ promotes and enhances the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) and improves access to care for persons living with HIV/AIDS. aaa+ works with advocates, community, health care, government, patients, pharmaceutical companies and other stakeholders to assure that access to services recognize and afford persons living with HIV/AIDS to enjoy a healthy life. For inquiries please contact Brandon M. Macsata by phone at (305) 519-4256 or email at info@adapadvocacyassociation.org. #### ADAP Advocacy Association (aaa+)
.jpg)
Calls for Additional Federal Funding and Programmatic Transparency
WASHINGTON, D.C. (July 14, 2008) – The ADAP Advocacy Association, also known as aaa+, today sounded a cautionary alarm as waiting lists returned for Americans living with HIV/AIDS trying to access their life-saving medications through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Last week, it was reported that 35 individuals residing in two states, Indiana and Montana, had 28 and 7 individuals respectively waiting to receive ADAP services.
1501 M Street, NW - 7th Floor • Washington, DC 20005
© Copyright 2007 - All Rights Reserved