There has been a lot of talk recently in the gay community about the lack and loss of funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Although I agree that there is a significant need for funding I wonder whether the community is focusing too much on ADAP funding and less on other solutions. Let’s face it budgets are being cut, services will be cut, and yes as much as we may not like it ADAP funding will either be lessened or combined with another program. That is not to say fighting for ADAP funds is a waste of time but should we not also be looking for another solution?
Call me ignorant or stupid if you want as I have never been touched by AIDs nor do I know anyone who has.
In addition to the ADAP funding why are we not also talking about ways to lower medication costs to make them more affordable like the Fair Pricing Coalition did in Florida. It seems to me we could lower the cost of the drugs would make access to treatment more affordable and also lessen the need for the ADAP funding. This is not a fix all but it will certainly help. Why aren’t activists focusing on this?
What other things should be focused on to help make AIDs treatment more affordable?