Together Against HIV

FLORIDA’S ADAP CRISIS 2026!

What’s going on?

In January, people living with HIV and advocates learned that Florida was proposing sweeping changes to the state ADAP program. This is a rapidly evolving situation and information is subject to change. From the latest reporting, on March 1, 2026, the following changes will go into effect:

• Reduce the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) eligibility threshold from 400% FPL to 130% FPL. Co-pay assistance will still be available for people who are insured and make under 400% FPL.
• Eliminate ADAP insurance premium assistance. People whose insurance premiums are currently paid by ADAP will be required to assume full responsibility for premium payments
• Eliminate Biktarvy & Discovey, the most prescribed HIV medication, from the ADAP formulary & in the US.
• Eliminate Rebates, Rebates work like refunds that assist the ADAP program that helps those living with HIV get their medicine and healthcare when they can’t afford it. 

Why is Florida doing this now?

The long story short is: we don’t know! Florida claims it is making this decision because of funding constraints. However, Florida refuses to share where the “budget shortfall” of $120 million  

Women living with HIV, especially women of color, are disproportionately impacted. 42% of clients served by ADAP programs in 2024 were people of color, predominantly Black Women. This is a racial and gender justice issue. Black women make up a disproportionate share of HIV diagnoses among women nationally. Black Women are 17X Higher to contract HIV compared to White Women.

National Data Shows:

About 1.13 million people are living with diagnosed HIV in the U.S. Around 35–40% of all individuals with HIV in the country are Black and Black Women account for about half (≈50%) of new diagnoses despite being a minority of the population.  Within Southern US accounted for about 52% of all new HIV diagnoses in the United States

Sisterhood is not symbolic—it is operational infrastructure.    

For Black women, sisterhood functions as:

• Early warning systems (word-of-mouth alerts when policies change)
  
  
• Navigation support (help understanding confusing eligibility shifts)
  
  
• Emotional regulation (buffering fear, shame, and isolation)
  
  
• Retention mechanisms (encouragement to stay in care when systems feel hostile)
  
  

Organizations led by and serving Black women—peer networks, faith-based women’s groups, advocacy collectives—often fill gaps before institutions respond. 

**From the Faith Side—like women’s church groups, prayer circles, support groups, and community helpers—often step in before big systems or programs do. When someone is scared, confused, or doesn’t know where to turn, these women are usually the first ones to help.

Women’s ministry such as this serve as support systems:

• Call a sister to remind her about a doctor’s appointment
  
  
• Pray with her when she feels afraid or overwhelmed
  
  
• Help her understand letters or phone calls about her healthcare
  
  
• Walk with her so she doesn’t feel alone
  
  

When this kind of support is ignored, people fall through the cracks.
When it is valued and supported, the whole health system becomes stronger and healthier.

Black women have always been the backbone of care. The next step is ensuring we are also the architects of the systems meant to sustain us for a short time, on the road to self-sufficiency.

We Want and NEED the Church to be informed.

**Florida’s ADAP crisis exposes a truth,That Black women have long lived with: That is
(systems are fragile when they are not built with us at the center.)

Finally, through HIV POSSIBLE, a HIV Positive Black Cis Woman peer-led grassroots organization, and SOS Broward (Sistas Organized to Survive), we are actively mobilizing alongside other grassroots leaders, peer advocates, faith partners, agencies, and community members across South Florida and throughout the state. Together, we organize, educate, and respond in real time—providing trusted information, peer navigation, emotional support, and community-based coordination to help people remain in care. Our shared work is focused on reducing harm, minimizing disruption, and easing the shock for individuals and families who depend on the ADAP program for life-saving medications and healthcare, ensuring no one is left to navigate these changes alone or in silence.  WE ARE NOT WAITING, WE ARE MOVING & WE WILL NOT GO BACKWARDS!

HIV POSSIBLE, in partnership with Empower HIV Health and the Black Public Health Academy, is honored to lead this statewide initiative designed to bring together leaders, advocates, healthcare providers, faith leaders, insurance professionals, case managers, and community residents for focused, solution-driven conversations surrounding HIV care, access, medication choice, and strengthening pathways to care, particularly within communities most impacted. 

Tour Schedule
• Winter Haven – May 8, 2026 - The Garden Center - 715 NW 3rd Street, Winter Haven 33882
• Gainesville – May 13, 2026 -  Baxter's Place - 1704 SE 2nd Ave, Gainesville   32641
• Jacksonville – May 15, 2026 -  No Bird - 2078 N. Liberty Street, Jacksonville 32206
• Tallahassee – May 20, 2026 - Signature Lounge - E Orange Avenue, Tallahassee 32301
• Eatonville – June 1, 2026 - TBD
• Fort Lauderdale – June 3, 2026 - The Pearl -1033 NW 6th Street ( Sistrunk Blvd) 33311

Time (All Cities): 6:00 PM – 8:00 PM    (Food Will Be Served At All Locations)

As we continue navigating critical shifts in care and access, this moment calls for alignment, clarity, and action. The purpose of these town halls is not only to inform, but to activate, ensuring individuals are supported, heard, and equipped to maintain continuity of care and overall well-being.

We would be honored to have you join us and to share this opportunity throughout your networks. Your voice, your leadership, and your presence are deeply valued in this work.  

We're bringing together community leaders, residents, advocates, healthcare professionals, and other stakeholders to collaborate and strengthen HIV care and improve health outcomes in our community.

In Florida, Black residents represent 45% of new HIV diagnoses. We see this not simply as a statistic, but as a call to action and an opportunity to change the trajectory for our communities.

We Have to Save Ourselves, because no one else is coming.  Join US