Today is National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. And right now, in our state, the Florida Department of Health is trying to gut the program that keeps thousands of Floridians alive.
If you live in Pinellas County and you believe healthcare is a right — not a political bargaining chip — this is your moment to act. Here's what's happening, why it matters, and exactly what you can do about it.
What's Happening: Florida Is Gutting HIV Medication Access
The Florida Department of Health has announced drastic changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) — a federally funded safety net that provides life-saving HIV medication to low-income Floridians. The state claims it can't find $120 million in the budget to cover the program.
Here's what's changing:
- Eligibility is being slashed from 400% of the Federal Poverty Level ($62,600/year) down to just 130% ($20,345/year)
- Over half of the 30,000+ people currently enrolled will lose coverage
- The state is removing Biktarvy — the most commonly prescribed HIV treatment — from the program's formulary
- Insurance premium assistance that helps people stay covered is being eliminated
- These cuts are scheduled to take effect March 1, 2026
For people on antiretroviral medication, even a two-week gap in treatment can be catastrophic. The virus multiplies, becomes transmissible to others, and the body can develop resistance to the medication — making future treatment less effective or impossible.
The "We Don't Have the Money" Claim Doesn't Hold Up
A joint investigation by the Miami Herald and Tampa Bay Times found that the DeSantis administration diverted more than $35 million in taxpayer funds to campaign against two constitutional amendments on the 2024 ballot. The state also spent $500 million building an immigration detention facility. The AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has filed a public records lawsuit to obtain documents about the supposed $120 million shortfall — because the Department of Health has never shown the receipts.
The money exists. The political will doesn't. And that's a choice our leaders are making — not a budget reality.
Why This Matters on National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day
The HIV epidemic in the United States is not race-neutral. The numbers are staggering:
- Black women account for 50% of all new HIV diagnoses among women, despite making up just 13% of the female population
- Black women are 10 times more likely to be diagnosed with HIV than white women
- 7 of the top 10 states for Black HIV diagnoses are in the South — including Florida
- Florida already ranks among the highest in the nation for new HIV diagnoses (16.7 per 100,000), with Miami-Dade at 33.3 per 100,000
- Black Americans made up 38% of new HIV diagnoses but only 14% of PrEP users — the lowest PrEP-to-Need Ratio of any group
Gutting ADAP in a state with one of the highest HIV rates in the country — while simultaneously losing federal prevention funding — disproportionately impacts Black women, communities of color, and low-income Floridians who already face the biggest barriers to equitable care.
The Legal Fight: Key Dates You Need to Know
The AIDS Healthcare Foundation sued the state, arguing the Department of Health illegally changed ADAP rules without going through the required rulemaking process. Here's where things stand:
- February 18, 2026 — Expedited hearing before Administrative Law Judge W. David Watkins
- February 27, 2026 — Ruling expected
- March 1, 2026 — Cuts scheduled to take effect (if not blocked)
Every action taken between now and February 27 matters.
What You Can Do Right Now from Pinellas County
You don't need to be an activist to make a difference. You just need 10 minutes and a phone. Here's your action plan:
1. Call Governor DeSantis's Office
- Phone: (850) 717-9337
- Online: flgov.com/contact-governor
- Message: "I'm a Pinellas County resident calling to demand you restore full ADAP funding and halt the March 1 eligibility cuts. 16,000 Floridians cannot lose access to life-saving medication."
2. Contact Your State Legislators
The 2026 legislative session is happening right now. Your state rep and senator can push back on these cuts in real time.
- Find your FL House rep: myfloridahouse.gov/FindYourRepresentative
- Find your FL Senator: flsenate.gov/Senators/Find
- Ask them to: Oppose the ADAP eligibility reduction, demand transparency on the $120 million "shortfall," and push for full ADAP funding during the current session
3. Sign the Petition
The "Protect Florida ADAP Coverage" petition on Change.org is collecting signatures to pressure state leaders. Find it at: change.org/p/protect-florida-adap-coverage
4. Share This Post
Awareness is action. Share this with your neighbors, your coworkers, your group chats. Most people in Pinellas County have no idea this is happening. Be the person who changes that.
5. Follow the Organizations Leading the Fight
- Save HIV Funding Campaign (savehivfunding.org) — Full rapid response toolkit with talking points and advocacy templates
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation (aidshealth.org) — Leading the lawsuit against the state
- AIDS United (aidsunited.org) — National advocacy tracking the crisis
- PrEP4All (prep4all.org) — Co-founders of the Save HIV Funding campaign
Your Call Script (Copy and Use)
Not sure what to say? Use this:
"Hi, my name is [YOUR NAME] and I'm a resident of Pinellas County. I'm calling to oppose the proposed cuts to Florida's AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Over 16,000 Floridians could lose access to life-saving HIV medication on March 1. The Department of Health has not demonstrated a real budget shortfall, and these cuts were made without following the required rulemaking process. I'm asking [REP/SENATOR NAME] to demand full ADAP funding and transparency from the Department of Health. Thank you."
The Bottom Line
This isn't a partisan issue. It's a public health emergency happening in our state, in our county, to our neighbors. The hearing is February 18. The ruling is expected February 27. The cuts hit March 1.
We have a window. Let's use it.
Sources
- CDC: HIV by Race & Ethnicity
- KFF: The Impact of HIV on Black People in the United States
- The Advocate: Florida Backtracks on HIV Funding Cuts
- The Advocate: 10,000 Floridians Given 'Death Sentence'
- AIDS United: Condemns DeSantis Administration
- AIDS Healthcare Foundation: Victory! FL Health Dept Retreats
- Save HIV Funding: Florida ADAP Crisis Rapid Response Kit
- Miami Times: Judge Agrees to Expedite AHF Challenge
- Sun Sentinel: Federal Cuts Impacting South Florida
- NASTAD: Prioritizing Black Women in HIV Testing