Trump administration reinstates HIV prevention funding after backlash

HIV prevention funding has been a subject of significant debate and scrutiny. Initially, the administration proposed substantial cuts to various health initiatives, including those aimed at combatting HIV/AIDS, which raised alarm among public health advocates and researchers . The proposed budget sought to eliminate programs such as the Ending the HIV/AIDS Epidemic Initiative and significantly reduce funding for critical services under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program. This move was criticized for potentially undermining years of progress in controlling the epidemic and addressing disparities in care .

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health received notice from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention on Thursday that it had been awarded nearly $20 million for HIV prevention for the 12-month period that began June 1 — an increase of $338,019 from the previous year.

“Let’s be clear — the Trump administration’s move to freeze HIV prevention funding was reckless, illegal and put lives at risk,” said Rep. Laura Friedman (D-Glendale) in a statement. “I’m relieved the CDC finally did the right thing — but this never should have happened.”

Dangerous changes loomed: To compensate for tax cuts for the wealthy, Trump’s “big, beautiful” bill and budget proposal for fiscal year 2026 threaten to curtail Medicaid, which provides health coverage for people with low incomes and disabilities. About 40% of adults with HIV rely on it for their lifesaving treatments.

Further, the budget proposes to eliminate all HIV prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. This alone could lead to an additional 14,600 HIV-related deaths within the next five years, according to one analysis.

Trump’s budget proposal also would cancel a major grant that provides housing assistance for people with HIV. And it would end a strategic initiative to expand HIV services in minority communities, and another to support the mental health of people of color with HIV or at risk of infection.

In response to mounting backlash from health organizations and advocacy groups, there was a notable shift in policy direction. The reinstatement of funding for HIV prevention efforts signified an acknowledgment of the importance of sustained financial support in combating this public health crisis. Such actions reflect not only responsiveness to criticism but also an understanding that effective prevention strategies are essential for reducing new infections . Ultimately, this reinstatement underscores the ongoing challenges faced by policymakers in balancing budgetary constraints with public health priorities.

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Sara H

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