Rocket Man To Gov. Scott: Leave The AIDS Assistance Program Alone
TALLAHASSEE (CBS4) - The Elton John AIDS Foundation has reached out to Governor Rick Scott and the state's Department of Health to protect a program that helps low-income HIV/AIDS patients get medication needed to control the virus.
Singer Elton John and foundation Chairman David Furnish wrote to Scott on Tuesday after hearing the Health Dept. was considering changes in income eligibility.
A department spokeswoman said while there are there are no immediate plans to change the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, they have had hearings to discuss the possibility of lowering income requirements to participate.
In their letter, John and foundation Chairman David Furnish say lowering income eligibility could mean 1,600 people will no longer get help obtaining antiretroviral medication.
Furnish said in a phone interview, "We were horrified when we heard this and we wanted to reach out and make our unhappiness known to the governor."
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