Illinois: Panel Votes for ADAP Waiting List

Illinois' AIDS Drug Assistance Program should close its doors to new applicants to avoid its own "total fiscal collapse," a state advisory panel said on May 21.

"Because the program is deeply underfunded, Illinois must take immediate steps to preserve services for those who rely on ADAP for their lifesaving care," said David Ernesto Munar, a member of the ADAP Medical Issues Advisory Board, which made the recommendation.

Illinois' ADAP, jointly funded by the state and federal governments, adds about 100 people monthly to its rolls. As of April 2010, it served about 4,400 people.

The AIDS Foundation of Chicago, where Munar serves as vice president, called upon state officials to protect funding for both existing and potential ADAP recipients. An annual regimen of HIV treatment can cost up to $20,000, and advocates estimate that an additional $9.68 million is needed is needed in fiscal year 2011 to avoid a waiting list.

"The General Assembly and Gov. Quinn must act [immediately] to avert ADAP waiting lists by allocating sufficient funding for the program," AFC Director of Government Relations John Peller said.

"Two out of three people using Illinois ADAP are African American or Latino. People of color will be most impacted by a closed program and waiting list," said the Rev. Doris Green, AFC's director of correctional health and community affairs.

AFC estimates that the governor's budget, which will be taken up in the near future when the legislature convenes, underfunds HIV services by more than $4 million.

If the committee's recommendations are adopted, Illinois would become the 12th state to institute a waiting list for its ADAP. Across the United States, about 1,000 people are on waiting lists for help from ADAP.

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