UPDATE: Critical HIV prevention programs in the United States are on the brink of collapse, as the Trump administration moves to dismantle essential federal funding. Public health experts warn that without immediate intervention, the consequences will be catastrophic for millions of Americans living with HIV.
Just announced, the White House’s proposed federal budget aims to eliminate key HIV programs, a drastic shift that threatens to reverse decades of progress in treatment and prevention. Experts are particularly alarmed by the potential loss of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)‘s vital functions, including national HIV monitoring and funding distribution to state health agencies.
The crisis comes at a time when groundbreaking advancements in HIV treatment are within reach. The FDA recently approved a new twice-yearly PrEP dosing method, which could significantly enhance prevention efforts. However, the looming budget cuts raise serious concerns about affordability and access to this critical medication. Millions could lose healthcare coverage due to proposed federal spending cuts, which experts say will exacerbate the already dire situation for those living with HIV.
“Right now, I think this is a very depressing moment for HIV-positive people,” said Perry Halkitis, dean of the Rutgers School of Public Health. He expressed frustration over the dismantling of programs that had sparked hope in the fight against the AIDS epidemic.
In Tennessee, one of the nation’s oldest historically Black medical schools faces a staggering loss of $2 million in federal HIV research funding, threatening the future of vital initiatives. Nationally, about four in ten Americans living with HIV depend on Medicaid for coverage, but proposed changes could leave many without access to essential healthcare services.
New paperwork requirements set to take effect in 2027 could further complicate matters, making it harder for individuals to maintain their coverage. Experts fear this will lead to delayed diagnoses and increased medical complications, harkening back to more severe stages of the epidemic.
“Without these programs, outbreaks will go unchecked,” warned Jeremiah Johnson, executive director of PrEP4All. “We could see people diagnosed much later, often already suffering from serious infections.”
The proposed budget cuts would strip nearly $2 billion from foundational HIV services, including the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which is crucial for those losing healthcare coverage. Longtime advocates are shocked, denouncing the unprecedented hostility toward HIV prevention efforts.
During his first term, Trump pledged to eradicate the HIV epidemic by 2030, but that commitment appears to have been abandoned as House Republicans push for these drastic cuts. The shift in administration priorities has been attributed to a change in staffing, with new appointees showing a lack of compassion for public health issues.
Public health advocates are also raising alarms about the administration’s treatment of transgender individuals, who are disproportionately affected by HIV. Experts note that the exclusion of trans people from official communications and health programs is detrimental to their access to care.
“This environment of fear is causing serious harm to the communities we serve,” Johnson added. “We must address these issues now to prevent a resurgence of the epidemic.”
As the clock ticks, experts urge immediate action to safeguard these critical HIV programs. With public health infrastructure at risk and millions of lives hanging in the balance, the time to act is NOW. Share this urgent message to raise awareness and advocate for the protection of vital HIV prevention services.
