Senate committee advances FY 2026 appropriations bill, maintaining funding for vital HIV programs

The FY 2026 Labor, Health and Human Services funding bill advanced by the Senate Appropriations Committee July 31 marks a positive development for HIV prevention, care and research. The legislation preserves critical funding and includes a $400 million increase for the National Institutes of Health, underscoring the bipartisan support for federal HIV programs and biomedical research.  

HIVMA is encouraged by the committee’s decision to maintain funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s HIV prevention program. Notably, they rejected the Administration’s proposed elimination of the HIV prevention program and of Ryan White Part F, which plays a crucial role in supporting the HIV workforce and dental care. The continued support for these programs that are all essential to the HIV response represents a critical step in ensuring we do not lose ground in the fight to end HIV as an epidemic. We are concerned that the bill cuts funding for CDC’s STD prevention program at a time when STD rates continue at alarming rates, particularly congenital syphilis. 

See IDSA’s release  for more information on funding for ID programs.  

Funding levels for key HIV-related programs include the following: 

• Flat funding across all parts of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program for a total appropriation of $2.57 billion and level funding at $165 million for the EHE initiative
• $1.381 billion for CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention, which represents flat funding for HIV, viral hepatitis and TB prevention but a $10 million decrease in funding for STD prevention programs and level funding at $220 million for the EHE initiative
• A $30 million increase for the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases

What’s next

Action now turns to the full Senate and to the House Appropriations Committee. We urge the Senate to move quickly in September to approve the bill, and we urge the House LHHS Appropriations Committee to follow the Senate’s lead to ensure full funding for HIV prevention and care and biomedical research in FY 2026.    

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.