New legislation would address barriers to PrEP access

HIVMA applauds Rep. Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-NJ) for introducing the PrEP Assistance Program Act with 13 co-sponsors in advance of National Black HIV/AIDS Awareness Day on Feb. 7. The legislation would create a much-needed foundation for a national PrEP grant program to address the barriers that keep PrEP out of reach for too many people and communities who could most benefit from it.  

PrEP is nearly 100% effective at preventing HIV acquisition, but only 31% of the people who could benefit from PrEP in the United States had access to it in 2023. For Black people, that number drops to 14% despite representing nearly 40% of new HIV diagnoses. This transformative legislation would increase uptake by providing grants to public health and nonprofit organizations to cover vital state- and local- PrEP activities and establishing a federal PrEP Pass to address the cost of medications and other services essential to PrEP users.   

Expanding PrEP access also is a key strategy in the bipartisan Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. We look forward to working with Congress to advance this legislation that could play a pivotal role in efforts to end the HIV epidemic.  

— Anna K. Person, MD, FIDSA — Chair, HIVMA 

About HIVMA 

The HIV Medicine Association is a community of more than 6,000 health care professionals who advance a comprehensive and humane response to the HIV pandemic, informed by science and social justice. HIVMA works to increase access to health care services and coverage for people with HIV and populations heavily impacted by HIV and to foster a robust, diverse and culturally competent HIV workforce. HIVMA is part of the Infectious Diseases Society of America. Visit hivma.org to learn more.