WPB HIV case surfaces amid statewide cuts to medication assistance

WEST PALM BEACH, Fla. (CBS12) — A West Palm Beach woman is facing serious felony charges after investigators say she had sex with multiple people without disclosing that she was HIV positive. The case comes at a time when access to critical HIV medication has been tightening across Florida.

According to a probable cause affidavit, 34-year-old Julieann Pixley was diagnosed with HIV in 2013 but stopped taking her prescribed antiretroviral medication in recent months, citing “oral pain.”

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Shortly after she stopped treatment, men came forward to detectives, reporting that they later tested positive for HIV.

One victim told investigators he only learned Pixley was HIV positive after seeing her mugshot circulating online. Pixley is being charged with an HIV person having sex without informing partner.

A case highlighting a broader statewide crisis

Local health experts with the Palm Beach County HIV Care Councill tell CBS12 News that consistent access to HIV medication is essential not only for the health of people living with HIV, but also for preventing transmission.

Antiretroviral medications—including Biktarvy and Descovy—can suppress HIV to “undetectable” levels, making the virus not transmittable when taken daily as prescribed. But without treatment, viral loads rise, increasing the chance of infection.

In Palm Beach County alone, more than 8,000 people are living with HIV, and many rely on Florida’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) for affordable medication.

However, as of March 1, Florida tightened ADAP eligibility, lowering the income cap from roughly $60,000 a year to about $20,000, a drop from 400% to 130% of the federal poverty level. Health providers say the change could make thousands of Floridians ineligible for assistance.

Palm Beach County estimates 1,700 local residents with HIV could lose access to their medication under the new rules.

Dr. Casey Messer with the county’s community services department said his team is seeing a surge in people arriving at their doors saying they’ve been unable to refill prescriptions.

“We have received lots of phone calls, lots of emails, lots of questions,” Messer said. “Folks showing up at our door saying I went to the pharmacy, and I couldn’t get a refill on my prescription and I don’t have a pill to take for tomorrow, what am I supposed to do.”

Emergency funding approved—but relief is temporary

Just this week, state lawmakers approved more than $30 million in emergency funding to restore the ADAP program following widespread backlash. But the governor has not yet signed the measure, and even if approved, the funding only runs through June 30.

Health advocates warn that without long-term structural fixes, Florida will continue to face preventable treatment lapses—each of which increases the risk of both illness and transmission.

Palm Beach County HIV Care Council: What it is and how it helps

As local residents navigate shifting eligibility requirements, the Palm Beach County HIV Care Council plays a critical role in ensuring people with HIV can access care and stay in treatment.

According to county records, the Council is a collaborative planning body made up of community leaders, service providers, and people living with HIV. Its mission is to plan, develop, monitor, and advocate for a comprehensive system of medical and support services for individuals and families affected by HIV/AIDS in the county.

The Council also:

• Helps set priorities for Ryan White Program funding allocations, ensuring limited resources reach the highest need areas.
• Works with federal partners under the Ryan White CARE Act to make sure Palm Beach County maintains a strong HIV care network.
• Supports community engagement, strategic planning, and coordination with other prevention and care initiatives, including the county’s Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Plan (2022–2026).
• Provides updated community resources through tools like the Redbook Directory, a comprehensive guide to HIV services, testing, care providers, and prevention resources across the county.

Residents seeking help can also contact the Council directly. It is located at 810 Datura Street, West Palm Beach, and the organization can be reached via the county’s HIV Care Council webpage or by calling 1-833-PBCHIV1.

Why consistent treatment matters

The Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County stresses that the state remains one of the hardest hit in the nation for HIV, and that sustained investment in testing, prevention, and medication access is essential to curb new infections.

Multiple county health centers offer confidential HIV testing, PrEP and PEP access, treatment referrals, and Ryan White enrollment assistance—resources that remain available regardless of ADAP changes.

If you need help accessing HIV medication

Palm Beach County residents can find assistance through:

• The Palm Beach County HIV Care Council
• The Redbook Directory of HIV services
• Florida Department of Health in Palm Beach County’s HIV/AIDS Program
• Ryan White Program referral consultants available through multiple county clinics

CBS12 News will continue to follow the state’s emergency funding measure and its impact on HIV treatment access.