The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in Florida has been fully restored, marking a significant victory for HIV advocacy groups and affected residents. Effective July 1, 2026, the program’s eligibility has been reinstated to 400% of the federal poverty level ensuring that thousands of Floridians can once again access life-saving HIV medications.

Governor Ron DeSantis signed the state budget into law on June 29, 2026, which includes an additional $75 million in state funding for the program. This restoration comes after months of litigation, legislative action, and relentless advocacy led by the AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) and other community groups.

The Road to Restoration

In, the Florida Department of Health announced drastic cuts to the ADAP program, reducing eligibility to 130% of the federal poverty level and removing insurance premium assistance. These cuts raised alarms among healthcare providers and advocates, who feared that over 12,000 people could lose access to essential HIV medications.

The AHF, along with a coalition of clinicians, providers, and people living with HIV, launched a multifaceted campaign to reverse these cuts. Their efforts included lawsuits, lobbying, rallies, and a statewide awareness campaign. The coalition’s persistence paid off when the Legislature allocated a $30.9 million emergency bridge fund in, followed by the full restoration in the May budget.

The Impact of the Restoration

The restoration of the ADAP program is a lifeline for the 135,000 Floridians living with HIV. Florida continues to have one of the highest HIV burdens in the country, with over 4,700 new HIV diagnoses reported in 2026 alone. The program’s reinstatement ensures that these individuals can continue their treatment, which is crucial for their health and for preventing the spread of the virus.

David Poole, a consultant with the AHF, highlighted the significance of this victory. “I would call it a major victory,” Poole said. “However, we still have work to do, as premium assistance for people living with HIV has been eliminated for the time being.” The AHF and other advocates will continue to push for the restoration of insurance premium assistance, which is expected to be reviewed independently in January.

Challenges Ahead

While the restoration of the ADAP program is a major step forward, some challenges remain. The budget sets a limit of 21,000 people on direct dispense enrollment, a cap that the AHF opposes. “No one who needs this medicine should be turned away,” the AHF stated in a press release.

Additionally, the budget did not restore insurance premium assistance, which helped many people remain on private health insurance. The AHF will continue to advocate for the return of this benefit, emphasizing its role in generating rebates that help fund the ADAP program. Esteban Wood, Director of Advocacy and Legislative Affairs at AHF, noted that “for months, it was a promise. Today it is the law, and people can finally breathe.”

Tallahassee resident Timothy Sneed expressed relief and gratitude for the community’s efforts. “To see how the community and other advocates were out there really pushing for all those people that live with HIV brings such a great sentimental value,” Sneed said. “Knowing that we’re not staying alone and that we’re all in this together as a community.”