The FY2020 funding package makes essential investments in the administration’s Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative and other high priority HIV responses with $241 million in new resources. As implementation of the initiative gets underway, HIVMA urges the Administration and Congress to:
- Ensure the initiative is funding CDC, HRSA, NIH, IHS with new and sustained federal funding.
- Require inclusive community planning and implementation processes.
- Prioritize addressing stigma and withdrawing policies that promote discrimination against LGBTQ individuals, women, justice-involved individuals, immigrants and other marginalized populations.
- Protect and strengthen the Medicaid program and support Medicaid expansion nationwide.
- Grow and strengthen the clinical workforce providing PrEP and HIV care through loan forgiveness, higher reimbursement for cognitive services, and additional support for clinical training programs.
- Integrate responses to the sexually transmitted infections, viral hepatitis, and substance use/ opioid epidemics.
- Leverage Ryan White clinics to provide PrEP and respond to the opioid crisis with non-Ryan White funding.
- Fully implement the USPSTF grade A recommendation for PrEP by ensuring coverage for CDC-recommended STD screening, lab monitoring and adherence counseling.