A delegation from Five Horizons Health Services traveled to Montgomery on March 7, 2018, to advocate on HIV/AIDS Awareness Day. Legislative talking points were developed for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program and HIV Prevention/Education.

AIDS Drug Assistance Program

We are seeking $2.66 million for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program from the state’s general fund.

• The AIDS Drug Assistance Program provides life-saving and life-sustaining prescription medication for Alabamians living with HIV.
• The average annual cost for medication, per person, is $10,800. Investing state dollars up front provides both immediate and long-term savings. The cost of not providing this medication can be up to $100,000 per year in emergency room visits and indigent care for medical complications for people living with HIV who are not on medication.

HIV Prevention Education

We are seeking $530,000 in HIV prevention education funds from the state’s education trust fund. 

• These funds are used to educate school-aged youth up to the age of 24 in all of Alabama’s 67 counties.
• Each prevented new case of HIV is estimated to save the state at least $435,000.