Massachusetts requests more money to prevent ADAP waiting list

AIDS Drug Assistance Program officials in Massachusetts are requesting an additional $2.4 million in state funds in fiscal 2005 to prevent a waiting list for the program. Increases in the costs of antiretroviral drugs and rising numbers of state residents applying for the program make the additional funding necessary, ADAP officials say. Enrollment in the ADAP program has more than doubled during the past two years from 1,538 people in 2002 to 3,224 in 2004. The program has enough money only to cover a maximum caseload of 3,385 enrollees, which ADAP officials say could be reached by the middle of September. ADAP officials have asked the legislature for the additional funds to prevent the program from either running a deficit or implementing a waiting list for new applicants. "This is not something that is a luxury," said Mark Baker, executive director of the AIDS Support Group of Cape Cod. "It's literally a lifesaving measure for people who don't have insurance or can't pay the full price for drugs."