HIVMA urges Congress to reject president’s proposed deep cuts to HIV programs

The president’s FY 2027 budget proposal calls for deep cuts to HIV prevention, care and research and includes a proposed elimination of HIV Prevention and Ryan White Program Part F (AIDS Education and Training Centers and dental care). The cuts would come at a high cost, as noted in HIVMA’s April 3 statement following the budget’s release. 

“The president’s proposal to slash HIV public health programs is a dangerous one at a time when states are already making unprecedented cuts to HIV services due to rising costs,” said HIVMA Chair Anna K. Person, MD, FIDSA, in the statement. “We urge Congress to prioritize the health of all Americans by rejecting these cuts and those proposed to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and the National Institutes of Health. Our country deserves better.”
 
The president is also proposing to establish the Administration for a Healthy America to consolidate programs from the Health Resources and Services Administration, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration. Legislation and approval by Congress would be required to create the new agency. 

While the president’s budget outlines the Administration’s funding priorities, Congress will determine funding levels. HIVMA Chair Anna K. Person, MD, FIDSA, submitted House testimony calling on lawmakers to sustain these programs and will also submit Senate testimony. HIVMA urges Congress to reject the president’s proposed cuts and program eliminations and to advance the investment levels reflected in the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership’s request. HIVMA and IDSA members are encouraged to contact their representatives and organize locally to urge robust funding for HIV programs.
 
Federal HIV-related programs in the president’s FY 2027 budget:

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program 

• The Ryan White Program Part F (AIDS Education and Training Centers, Special Projects of National Significance and the Dental Programs) would be eliminated for a cut of $73.5 million.
• All other Ryan White Program Parts and the RWP Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative would be level funded.

CDC Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Infections, Tuberculosis, and Opioid and Infectious Diseases Prevention 

• The four programs would be combined into a single $300 million block grant, a $70.3 million cut from their combined FY 2026 appropriations. 

CDC HIV Prevention

• The Administration proposes eliminating CDC’s HIV Prevention line entirely – a proposed loss of $755.6 million and proposed destruction of critical HIV prevention infrastructure, funding testing, surveillance and community-based interventions.
• The EHE initiative at CDC would be held flat at $220 million under the president’s budget but would be moved to the newly created AHA.

National Institutes of Health

• The Administration proposes a $5 billion or 12% cut to NIH funding. In addition, the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases would be cut by $1.8 billion (37%), and the Office of AIDS Research would be cut by $598 million (18%). 

Minority AIDS Initiative

• The Minority HIV/AIDS Fund and SAMHSA’s Minority AIDS Initiative would both be eliminated, removing over $175 million in funding specifically designed to address the disproportionate impact of HIV on historically marginalized communities. 

Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS

• The Housing Opportunities for Persons With AIDS program would be eliminated despite stable housing being one of the strongest predictors of HIV treatment adherence and viral suppression.

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.