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For local healthcare workers and advocates, keeping people connected to preventative care is more urgent than ever.

Federal money is at risk for programs to prevent and treat HIV. In Washington, lawmakers are considering cuts for the next fiscal year.

The new deal, struck Monday, restores eligibility for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program to 400% of the federal poverty level ($62,600 per year), reverses the drug restrictions, and provides $75 million to run the program.

The state Department of Health notified the AIDS Healthcare Foundation that it would not renew five of its contracts to test and treat people with HIV and stop the spread of the sexually transmitted infection (STI).

A circuit court judge has ruled that the administration of Gov. Ron DeSantis can push ahead with reductions to a program that helps people with HIV and AIDS purchase life-saving drugs.

The House on Thursday passed bill (HB 697) that includes a stopgap measure to restore cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program through June 30, the end of the fiscal year.

The state issued the emergency rule Tuesday night on the eve of an emergency hearing. The cuts to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), which will reduce the income eligibility for aid and remove a key medication from coverage, are slated to take effect March 1.

A leading provider of AIDS care is asking a Florida state administrative court to resume proceedings in a legal challenge to the DeSantis administration’s move to reduce enrollment eligibility in a program that helps people purchase medications.

The DeSantis administration announced Tuesday that it’s developing three new rules meant to curb spending in a federally funded program that provides benefits to people with HIV and AIDS.

The state's proposed changes to the AIDS Drug Assistance Program would leave more than 16,000 Floridians without access to their medication.

The complaint claims that the state illegally changed rules regarding income eligibility thresholds for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program without having gone through the mandatory rule making process.

State officials said the action is being taken to prevent a shortfall of more than $120 million in the statewide prescription medication program for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS.