AIDS Drug Assistance Programs
ADAP Advocacy is committed to robust AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs) that are adequately funded by the federal government. Under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part B, ADAPs offer life-saving medications to people living with HIV/AIDS who have low income, many may have limited or no health insurance.
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The HIV/AIDS Bureau, part of the Health Resources & Services Administration (HRSA), manages ADAPs, which is accessible in all U.S. states and territories. Its goal is to ensure that people with HIV/AIDS receive the necessary medications for treatment and prevention. Funding comes from federal appropriations, state contributions, other federal resources, and pharmaceutical rebates. ADAP Advocacy monitors the growing financial challenges, often resulting in budget shortfalls due to static federal funding over several years, shifts in state revenue, and changes in opportunities to earn revenue through rebates or program income.
As the payor of last resort, ADAP Advocacy is concerned that the federal commitment to the program is waning. Even though more clients are enrolling and healthcare costs are climbing, federal funding for ADAPs hasn't really grown over the past decade. This means ADAPs have the same purchasing power as they did in 1999, once inflation is accounted for. As a result, states are often lowering income limits and restricting drug choices to manage the rising costs of HIV medications and related services. The situation gets even more concerning with the One Big Beautiful Bill Act, which makes deep cuts to federal health programs and could leave millions more Americans without health insurance. All these changes put ADAPs under serious financial strain, risking the loss of vital drug coverage for thousands of low-income individuals living with HIV/AIDS.
Blogs
View our blogs archive.
BACK TO TOPFlorida, Once Again, Imperils the Lives of People Living with HIV/AIDS
(February 19, 2026)
The state of Florida is in the process of revamping [deconstructing] its state’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) to exclude nearly half of its current enrollees.
INFOGRAPHICS
CORRECTIONAL HEALTH: Improving Access to Care Among Formerly Incarcerated Populations Living with HIV/AIDS under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program
(August 2018)
TRANSGENDER HEALTH: Improving Access to Care Among Transgender Men & Women Living with HIV/AIDS under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program
(April 2017)
Op Eds
The Politics of Public Health
(April 3, 2023)
The time to fight has once again come knocking on our door. In the dark early years of the AIDS epidemic in the United States, gay men and our allies found the strength to build a grassroots movement to empower ourselves and change the national conversation.
View our opinion pieces archive.
BACK TO TOPIt Is Time to Advocate for the Patient
(April 12, 2021)
Republicans and Democrats used to boast about protecting people from having to use hospital emergency rooms unnecessarily. Both parties rallied around the flagpole, trying to demonstrate who cared more. In the end, empty promises.
Policy Papers
CORRECTIONAL HEALTH: Improving Access to Care Among Formerly Incarcerated Populations with HIV/AIDS under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP): Model Policy for Ryan White/ADAPs Serving Former Inmates
(April 2019)
This project aims to raise awareness about issues confronting ex-offenders living with HIV/AIDS who also access care and treatment (or whom could benefit from such care and treatment) under ADAP, as well as provide useful resources and tools to the communities serving them.
View our policy papers archive.
BACK TO TOPTRANSGENDER HEALTH: Improving Access to Care Among Transgender Men & Women Living with HIV/AIDS under the AIDS Drug Assistance Program: Model Policy for Ryan White/ADAPs Serving Transgender Clients
(April 2017)
“Among people with HIV using Ryan White HIV/AIDS services, transgender people are less likely, than patients overall, to remain in care (78% vs. 80%) and to achieve viral suppression (74 vs. 81%).” Considering the overwhelming amount of transgender people at-risk-for or living with HIV/AIDS, it is imperative that clinical professionals understand why this discrepancy exists and what they can do to directly impact the rates.
Public Comments
Written comment to Members of the North Carolina Congressional Delegation expressing opposition to HIV federal funding cuts
(March 19, 2025)
We write to you today as a North Carolina-based nonprofit organization with a national focus. We are deeply concerned about credible reporting from the Wall Street Journal of imminent plans to "reorganize" certain programs within the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).
View our public comments archive.
BACK TO TOPHIV Community Concerns Over S.4395
(August 15, 2022)
We, the undersigned patient advocacy organizations, and Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP), Pub.L. 101- 381, recipient and sub-recipient service organizations, urge you to reject any effort to dilute the intent of the RWHAP, or divert program revenues away from providing support and services to people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA). Specifically, we urge a strong rebuke of the Ryan White PrEP Availability Act (S.4395)
RESOURCEs
ADAP Directory
The ADAP Directory is a convenient online resource for locating AIDS Drug Assistance Program information across all US states and territories.
ADAP Watch
Download the latest ADAP Watch published by the National Alliance of State & Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD).