Our Communities Are Hurting

The income guideline changes to the Special Pharmaceutical Benefits Program (SPBP) that took effect on October 1, 2025 have forced many Pennsylvanians to make impossible decisions about their health, housing, and stability.

People who depend on SPBP for life-saving medications are now facing painful choices — pay rent or buy food, keep the lights on or stay on treatment.

No one should ever have to choose between financial security and their health. Programs like SPBP were created to protect people during difficult times, not add new barriers.

Why This Matters

The recent reduction in SPBP’s income eligibility limit — from 500% to 350% of the Federal Poverty Level (FPL) — may have been intended to manage rising costs, but it has unintentionally left many unable to afford essential HIV medications.

Interruptions in treatment can lead to:

• Viral rebound and declining health,
• Increased hospitalizations, and
• Higher long-term public-health costs.

Gross Income ≠ Real Income

SPBP currently determines eligibility based on gross income — the total amount before taxes, health insurance, or dependent-care expenses.

• Gross income does not represent what individuals actually live on.
• There is no law requiring agencies to rely solely on gross income.
• A fairer approach — such as net or adjusted income — would more accurately reflect real household finances.

Economic Reality

A single adult in Pennsylvania now needs approximately $95,000 per year to live comfortably, yet the new SPBP limit caps eligibility at about $54,775.

The difference between this threshold and the real cost of living reveals a policy that, while recently implemented, fails to reflect what it truly costs to live and remain healthy in Pennsylvania.

What We’re Asking For

We are calling on SPBP’s decision-makers to:

• Review and revise the current income policy.
• Consider net or adjusted income instead of gross income.
• Ensure fair and equitable access for Pennsylvanians living with or affected by HIV.
• Maintaining the sustainability of SPBP is essential — but never at the expense of the very people it was designed to serve.

A Call for Compassion and Fairness

By modernizing its income calculation, Pennsylvania can show compassion, fairness, and a commitment to protecting the health and dignity of all its residents.

Join us in urging a policy review that aligns fiscal responsibility with humanity. Sign this petition to help protect access to care for our communities.