NASTAD Releases New Report on AIDS Drug Assistance Programs

"ADAP Watch," National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors: The report found that a total of 308 people in Alaska and South Carolina were on waiting lists for AIDS Drug Assistance Programs as of July 19 (ADAP Watch, 8/16). ADAPs are federal- and state-funded programs that provide HIV/AIDS-related medications to low-income, uninsured and underinsured HIV-positive individuals (Kaiser Daily HIV/AIDS Report, 6/26). Alaska's ADAP waiting list has five people, while South Carolina's list has 303 people, according to the report. In addition, the report found that Alabama, Indiana and Michigan have implemented cost-containment measures -- such as capped enrollments or formulary management -- since April 1, when the ADAP fiscal year began.

According to the report, Montana -- which has reported a waiting list since 2002 -- eliminated its ADAP waiting list because of increased state funding. The report also found that Puerto Rico has eliminated its ADAP waiting list but is uncertain about future waiting lists and other cost-containment measures. In addition, the report found that there are nearly the fewest individuals on waiting lists since tracking began in 2002.

According to the report, there is approximately $35 million in FY 2007 ADAP supplemental awards that has not been distributed. ADAP estimated need for FY 2008 is $1 billion, an increase of $233 million over FY 2007. The House is considering a bill that would increase ADAP funding by $41 million for FY 2008, and the Senate is considering a similar bill that would increase ADAP funding by $25.4 million. According to the report, ADAP costs have increased by an average of $110.8 million annually since FY 1997 (ADAP Watch, 8/16).

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