November 4, 2009

With Nearly 100 People, Kentucky ADAP Waiting List Is Longest in U.S.

Kentucky’s AIDS drug assistance program (ADAP), which offers free or inexpensive drugs to low-income HIV-positive residents, has the longest waiting list in the country, The Associated Press reports. More than 1,200 people are enrolled in the program, and nearly 100 are on the waiting list, which started in June.

As of last month, eight states have ADAP waiting lists. Nebraska has the second longest, with 75 people awaiting treatment assistance.

“We have 20 to 30 people coming in every month, and everyone who comes in goes on the waiting list,” said Sigga Jagne, Kentucky’s HIV/AIDS program manager. “Nobody is coming off the list.”

Demand for the state’s program has gone up during the recession, but federal funding has decreased from about $4.8 million in 2005 to about $4.5 million this year. Kentucky’s contribution to ADAP ceased in 2007. It is not yet known how much it would cost to remove the waiting list.

“The state has an obligation to take care of those who cannot care for themselves, and that includes low-income AIDS patients,” said State Representative Tom Burch (D–Louisville). “Plus it’s extremely shortsighted to cut a preventive drug program like this. If somebody goes into full-blown AIDS and has to be hospitalized, now we’re all spending the big bucks.”

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Previous Comments:

Daniel, Berea, 2009-11-06 16:57:10
As a KADAP client, this is scary news! If 1200 people are receiving drugs or assistance for $4.5 million, that's $3750.00 per client, on average. If the 100 folks on the waiting list are typical, they could be served with an additional $375,000. C'mon, Kentucky! PS- KY DOES require a denial letter.

dbeck, Houston, 2009-11-05 17:42:24
Are the states with waiting lists requiring ADAP applicants to apply for Part D drug assistance? In TX I believe you have to have a denial letter from Medicare to be eligible for ADAP. If they don't do this then it might solve their waiting list if they did.