Report: More than
950 on ADAP waiting lists

A new report by the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors shows that as of January 18 there are 10 states with waiting lists for their AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, with 954 low-income HIV-positive people on those lists awaiting access to antiretroviral treatment. The 10 states that currently have waiting lists are: Alabama, Alaska, Arkansas, Idaho, Indiana, Kentucky, Montana, Nebraska, North Carolina, and West Virginia. Other cost-cutting measures, such as limiting the number of drugs available or tightening financial eligibility requirements, have been implemented in nine states, according to the report. Six more states and the Northern Mariana Islands Territory expect to enact new cost-cutting measures before the end of the current fiscal year.

President Bush, during his State of the Union speech on Tuesday, called on Congress to allocate additional funds to help eliminate ADAP waiting lists around the country. Lawmakers are expected to address the subject later this year when they debate reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act, which provides AIDS funds throughout the country. The Ryan White Act technically expired on September 30 but has continued operating at 2005 funding levels until Congress renews the measure. (Advocate.com)