Florida Health Dept. Proposes Cuts to HIV Drug Access Program

Proposed rule would slash income eligibility and eliminate insurance premium assistance, potentially impacting thousands of Floridians living with HIV.

Published on Feb. 11, 2026

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The Florida Department of Health has published a proposed rule to formally implement cuts to the state's AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which provides life-saving medications and insurance premium support to more than 30,000 Floridians living with HIV. The proposed rule would slash ADAP income eligibility from 400% to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level and eliminate insurance premium assistance entirely. AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) has filed a legal challenge alleging the Department violated Florida law by attempting to implement the cuts without going through the required rulemaking process.

Why it matters

These proposed cuts to Florida's ADAP program could result in more than 16,000 Floridians losing access to critical HIV treatment and coverage, destabilizing care for thousands living with the disease. HIV treatment is essential, and these cuts put lives at risk and threaten the state's public health.

The details

The proposed rule confirms the Department of Health's plan to slash ADAP income eligibility from 400% to 130% of the Federal Poverty Level and eliminate insurance premium assistance entirely. The proposed rule does not codify specific medication restrictions announced by the Department in January, including limitations affecting widely prescribed HIV treatments.

  • The Florida Department of Health published the proposed rule on February 11, 2026.
  • AHF filed a legal challenge at the Division of Administrative Hearings prior to the proposed rule being published.
  • The public comment period for the proposed rule is 21 days, with a deadline of March 4, 2026.
  • A hearing on AHF's legal challenge is currently scheduled for February 18, 2026, with a ruling due by February 27, 2026.

The players

Florida Department of Health

The state agency that oversees public health programs, including the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).

AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF)

A global non-profit organization that provides HIV/AIDS healthcare and advocacy, and has filed a legal challenge against the proposed ADAP cuts.

Esteban Wood

The Director of Advocacy and Legislative Affairs at AHF.

Michael Weinstein

The President of AHF.

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What they’re saying

“DOH is now going through the formal process it initially tried to bypass. But publishing a proposed rule does not justify cuts that will destabilize care for thousands of Floridians living with HIV. The public now has the right to comment, demand transparency, and challenge the state's financial claims.”

— Esteban Wood, Director of Advocacy and Legislative Affairs, AHF

“We are calling on the Department to release the documents that justify these cuts and to provide full transparency about its decision-making. HIV treatment is not optional. These cuts put lives at risk and threaten Florida's public health.”

— Michael Weinstein, President, AHF

What’s next

AHF's legal challenge remains pending, with a hearing currently scheduled for February 18, 2026, and a ruling due on or by February 27, 2026. The public comment period for the proposed rule is open until March 4, 2026.

The takeaway

These proposed cuts to Florida's HIV drug assistance program could have devastating consequences for thousands of Floridians living with HIV, threatening their access to life-saving medications and coverage. The legal challenge and public comment period are crucial steps to ensure transparency and protect the health of vulnerable communities.