Court Order Halts Cuts To HIV Drug Program

A judge has granted a request from three AIDS patients to block changes to Ohio rules that they say would drastically reduce eligibility for a free or reduced-medication program. More court hearing are scheduled in two weeks, but if upheld, the directive from the Franklin County Common Pleas court blocks the state from implementing new rules. The group argues the new rules were not properly adopted and will "arbitrarily deny funding for potentially life-saving medications" to Ohioans with HIV or AIDS-related symptoms. They say the change will drastically reduce eligibility for Ohio's AIDS Drug Assistance Program for the low-income, uninsured and under-insured. The rules were set to take effect today. Click here for hear Mandie Trimble's reporting on how many Ohioans have struggled to get HIV and AIDS medications.