Ohio House flips on cuts to HIV drug assistance program

Rep. David Burke

The Ohio House reversed a $200,000 proposed budget cut to Ohio HIV Drug Assistance Program to a $300,000 increase in funding for OHDAP. State Rep. David Burke, a Republican from Marysville, is credited with the change.

Last week, Equality Ohio and the Ohio AIDS Coalition sent out an action alert, urging Ohioans to tell their representatives to oppose the proposed funding cut to OHDAP. According to Equality Ohio, 223 Ohioans contacted 71 legislators through its system.

The proposed increase will not eliminate the waiting list for HIV medication in Ohio. Currently, 378 HIV+ Ohioans are on the OHDAP waiting list.