The proposed cuts in the fiscal year 2026 budget are expected to severely impact HIV care and research in the United States, according to Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. The budget proposal reveals more than $1.5 billion in cuts, including the complete elimination of all Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HIV programs.
However, funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program will remain intact, with some modifications. The program, which provides care to over 576,000 low-income individuals, will be restructured under a new agency, the Administration for Healthy America (AHA). This move is expected to prioritize prevention and provide $165 million for the Ryan White Program.
Schmid expressed concern about the budget proposal’s focus on eliminating CDC HIV prevention programs, which he believes will increase HIV infections and health costs. The CDC program plays a crucial role in preventing HIV transmission and provides essential surveillance data.
Despite these concerns, Schmid noted that the administration’s commitment to ending HIV by 2030 is welcome news. The proposed budget allocates funding for pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) access in community health centers as part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic effort.
The budget proposal has sparked debate about the administration’s priorities and commitment to public health. Schmid emphasized that HIV is a chronic disease requiring lifelong treatment, and that prevention efforts are essential to saving lives and reducing healthcare costs in the long run.
Source: https://www.managedhealthcareexecutive.com/view/trump-budget-axes-cdc-hiv-prevention-shifts-care-experts-warn-of-risks