Elton John has expressed concern over proposed budget cuts that threaten to undermine progress in fighting the HIV/AIDS epidemic. The singer and longtime supporter of the cause believes that programs providing treatment, prevention, and anti-stigma efforts should be expanded, not eliminated.
Ryan White, a teenager who died from AIDS in 1990, had his life transformed into a powerful force for change after being diagnosed with the disease. His courage inspired the creation of the Elton John AIDS Foundation, which continues to help people across America stay safe and well.
The Ryan White CARE Act has saved over 500,000 lives by providing essential HIV care and treatment to Americans living with the virus. In recent years, efforts have focused on ending the HIV epidemic in America by 2030 through prevention initiatives like the End the HIV Epidemic program.
However, proposed budget cuts would end federal funding for HIV surveillance, testing, education, community-based organizations, substance abuse treatment, and mental health programs critical to driving down HIV infections. Medicaid funding is also at risk, affecting over 40% of people living with HIV who rely on it for care.
Elton John believes that investing in prevention medication like PrEP could be a game-changer in the fight against AIDS. With the recent development of a generic PrEP pill or shot costing $30 annually compared to the lifetime cost of treating one person with HIV, Elton John urges the administration and Congress to prioritize investments in prevention.
The singer notes that Ryan White would expect nothing less from those fighting the epidemic. World-renowned musician Elton John established the Elton John AIDS Foundation in 1992, a testament to his ongoing commitment to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Source: https://eu.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2025/06/24/medicaid-cuts-hiv-aids-medication-prep-funding/84286896007