Resolution 397-1988
Commissioner Hernandez
RESOLUTION NO. 397 -1988
A RESOLUTION OF THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMIS-
SIONERS REQUESTING THAT GOVERNOR MARTINEZ
FINANCE THE DRUG AZT PROGRAM FOR PERSONS
SUFFERING FROM AIDS IN MONROE COUNTY,
FLORIDA
WHEREAS, AIDS has become a disease of maj or concern in
Monroe County; and
WHEREAS, the citizens of Monroe County have previously been
receiving the drug AZT through a federally funded program; and
WHEREAS, that funding is no longer available; and
WHEREAS, the Board of County Commissioners of Monroe County
desire that people in need of the said drug AZT continue to
receive the same; now, therefore,
BE IT RESOLVED BY THE BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS OF
MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA, that
Monroe County urges Governor Martinez to transfer funds
immediately to finance the AZT program for persons suffering from
the disease AIDS who are unable to finance the medication them-
selves.
PASSED AND ADOPTED by the Board of County Commissioners of
Monroe County, Florida, at a regular meeting of said Board held
on the 16th day of August, A.D., 1988.
BOARD OF COUNTY COMMISSIONERS
OF MONROE COUNTY, FLORIDA
By g~, "
Mayor an
(SEAL)
Attest : DANNY L. KOLHAGE, Clerk
...I2t~~..&~
er '
Au g . 11, 1988
~\
AIDS HElP~
,,~
The Honorable Bob Martinez
Governor of The State of Florida
State Cap i tol
Tallahassee, FL 32399
Dear Gov. Martinez:
The Board of Directors of AIDS Help, Inc. (Monroe County~s
Provider for State of Florida's Patient Care Grant) is very
concerned about AZT being denied to new PWAs unable to be
Medicaid qual ified. The Board of Directors is composed of
over 20 members of the community representing medical"
judicial, legal and business leaders.
Under the federally funded program, AZT was available - at
no cost - to those financially screened with a doctor's
prescription. When the federally funded program ran short,
the State of Florida appropriated $300,000 to continue AZT
for those without medicaid who were currently receiving AZT.
The State of Florida designated AZT as a Medicaid approved
drug as of 7/1/88. What is needed now is funding for those
~ individuals not able to pay for AZT, who are inel igible
for Medicaid, due to some assets or abil ity to worK
full-time or part-time.
In Monroe County, we have individuals worKing, paying taxes,
yet not earning enough to pay for AZT ($8,000 yearly). Do
we instruct them to quit.. ..apply for SSI and be covered by
Medicaid? What happens to someone receiving $600-700
monthly from Social Security Disability (with no Medicaid
coverage). How do they eat, pay rent and find $800 monthly
to pay for AZT?
Funds need to be transferred immediately to Keep these PWAs
al ive. Please advise what can be accompl ished to assist
those who's very 1 ife depends upon a speedy infusion of
funds.
On behalf of the Board of Directors,
C~~g~
President, Board of Directors
cc Hon. Gregory Coler
Secretary of Health and Rehabil itative Services
(30S) 296-6196 p,O, Box 4374, Key West, FL 33041
Sponsored by the Department of Health and Rehabilitative Services and the
State of Florida