December 4, 2008

Kentucky ADAP May Implement Waiting List by April

Due to a drop in federal and state funding, Kentucky’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP)—which provides treatment to 1,300 HIV-positive residents not on Medicaid, Medicare or private insurance—may be forced to reinstate a drug waiting list by April, the Lexington Herald-Leader reports.

According to the article, Kentucky had the longest ADAP waiting list of all states in 2005. By 2006, the program became efficient enough to eliminate the waiting list. However, it has lost a significant portion of its funding during the past three years. No money was designated for the state’s ADAP for this budget year.

Meanwhile, the number of patients who have applied for assistance to help pay for antiretroviral drugs—which cost between $2,000 and $10,000 a month—has steadily increased, says Sigga Jagne, branch manager for the HIV/AIDS program with the state Cabinet for Health and Family Services.

According to Jagne, the state—like many others across the country—is already bracing for a waiting list. Social workers with HIV-positive clients are already gearing up to fill out applications for individual drug companies’ free or reduced-cost programs until additional money can be found.

Search: Kentucky, ADAP, Medicaid, Medicare, waiting list

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