More Than 1,600 People on 11 State ADAP Waiting Lists, NASTAD Report Says

The number of people on waiting lists nationwide for enrollment into AIDS Drug Assistance Programs has increased from 1,263 in April to 1,629 this month, according to the latest "ADAP Watch" released on Monday by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, according to a NASTAD release. ADAPs, which are state-managed, federally funded programs, provide HIV treatment to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals. According to the "ADAP Watch," Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Colorado, Idaho, Iowa, Kentucky, Montana, North Carolina, South Dakota and West Virginia have waiting lists and/or access restrictions. In addition, Alabama, Arkansas, Colorado, Indiana, Oklahoma, South Dakota, Utah and Washington have implemented other cost-containment strategies since April. According to NASTAD, Massachusetts, Minnesota, Missouri, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New Mexico, Oregon, South Carolina and Texas are anticipating new or additional restrictions during fiscal year 2004, which ends March 31, 2005. "We are alarmed to see the number of people on waiting lists for medications through ADAPs rise in such a short period of time," NASTAD Executive Director Julie Scofield said, adding, "This is such a severe crisis in which many states are struggling desperately to provide these life-saving medications to people in need. The difficult decisions state ADAPs are being forced to make to keep programs solvent are contrary to good public health" (NASTAD release, 6/7).

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