Elton John urges Florida to save HIV/AIDS funding

TALLAHASSEE, Florida — Singer Elton John is urging Florida Gov. Rick Scott to protect a program that helps low-income HIV/AIDS patients get medication needed to control the virus.

John, founder of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, wrote to Scott on Tuesday after hearing the Department of Health was considering changes in income eligibility.

A department spokeswoman says there are no immediate plans to change the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, though it held hearings to discuss the possibility of lowering income requirements to participate.

In their letter, John and foundation Chairman David Furnish say lowering income eligibility could mean 1,600 people will no longer get help obtaining antiretroviral medication.