FORT LAUDERDALE, Fla. — More than 12,000 Floridians living with HIV will again have access to critical medications after Gov. Ron DeSantis signed emergency legislation reversing recent cuts to the state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program.
The bipartisan measure was passed unanimously by both chambers of the Florida Legislature, and it provides $30.9 million in bridge funding through June 30, 2026.
The legislation restores the program’s income eligibility to 400% of the federal poverty level and requires the Department of Health to provide monthly financial reporting requirements to legislative leadership, starting April 1.
“For ten weeks, 12,000 Floridians living with HIV did not know if they could fill their next prescription. Today, they can,” said Esteban Wood, director of advocacy and legislative affairs at AIDS Healthcare Foundation.
Multiple Hillsborough County schools are closing down in 2027
Tampa Bay 28 reporter Jada Williams has the latest on how Hillsborough County Public Schools is planning major student reassignments and school closures for the 2027-28 school year.
