The AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs)

Background:

AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) provide HIV-related prescription drugs to low-income individuals with limited or no prescription drug coverage.

ADAPs began serving clients in 1987, when Congress first appropriated funds to help states purchase the only approved antiretroviral (ARV) drug available at the time. In 1990, they were incorporated into Part B of the newly enacted Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, now known as the Ryan White Program.

With almost 200,000 enrollees nationwide, ADAPs reach over a third of all people with HIV receiving care in the United States.


Current Status:

A convergence of factors has brought ADAPs to a state of fiscal crisis. The economic recession of the past two years has left many Americans without health insurance. This and other factors have increased the number of people who are in need of the ADAP program to access their medications. Meanwhile, states have encountered budgetary constraints and deficits, which has led to efforts to trim back the cost of programs such as ADAP. Finally, federal lawmakers - facing similar budget constraints – have not appropriated funding for the program able to match the rate of increase in the program.

As of August 2011, there are over 9,000 individuals on ADAP waiting lists in 11 states. A further 16 states and Puerto Rico have employed cost containment strategies, such as reduced formularies, lowered eligibility levels, client cost sharing, or program enrollment caps.

Resources:

NASTAD's 2012 ADAP Monitoring Report, Module One
The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) has released the first component of its National ADAP Monitoring Project Annual Report. The Report provides comprehensive and detailed information on programmatic aspects of the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs. This report will be relased in three modules. This particular module includes detailed information related to ADAP budgets, client enrollment and utilization, client demographics, prescription distribution and payment methods, expenditures and prescriptions filled, insurance coordination, program eligibility, and program management and administration.

ADAP Watch Update (NASTAD.org)

The Health Resources Service Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB)


 

AAVHIM Advocacy:

Letter to House Appropriators on ADAP 7/8/2009
Letter from AAHIVM and the ADAP Coalition on funding the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).

Letter to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Allowing AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) to Count Towards True-out-of-pocket costs (TrOOP) Under Medicare Part D Benefit 10.30.09
Letter from AAHIVM and the HIV Community to Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) on Allowing AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) to Count Towards True-out-of-pocket costs (TrOOP) Under Medicare Part D Benefit 

Letter to House and Senate Appropriators on FY12 Funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) 11.7.11
Letter from AAHIVM and the ADAP Coalition to House and Senate Appropriators on FY12 Funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) 

Letter to Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee on FY10 Funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) 10.9.09
Letter from AAHIVM and the ADAP Coalition to Labor, Health and Human Services and Education Appropriations Subcommittee on FY10 Funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)

Letter to President on FY12 Funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) 11.7.11
Letter from AAHIVM and The ADAP Coalition to President on FY12 Funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)

Letter to Senate Appropriations Committee on FY11 Funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) 03.07.11
Letter from AAHIVM and ADAP Coalition to the Senate Appropriations Committee on FY11 Funding for AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)