The Trump Administration is considering eliminating funding for the CDC’s HIV prevention division. According to Trump spokespeople, the CDC’s responsibilities would be shifted over to a different agency in the Department of Health and Human Services.
In a memo making its way between HIV Health prevention advocates dated March 18, the time frame of the potential plan is said to be taking place in “48 hours” although the source familiar with the plan said it will most likely “be a little longer than that.”
The CDC provides funds to states and territories for detecting and responding to HIV outbreaks, resources for syringe exchange, expanded testing in emergency rooms, education and awareness. The agency also promotes prevention and supports vital medications like the HIV prevention pill, known as PrEP. Roughly one in four new diagnoses of HIV is made with agency funds.
HIV prevention advocates are sounding the alarm regarding the plot, warning that the sudden and massive change could lay the burden of prevention programs on the states. In the event the virus resurges, it could cost U.S. taxpayers millions of dollars as a result.
According to Jesse Milan, president and CEO of AIDS United, a nonprofit advocate group, there are approximately 1.1 to 1.2 million people who are highly vulnerable to acquiring HIV in the U.S.
“It would be devastating,” Milan said. “The work is important because every new HIV transmission results in a person having a lifetime cost related to being HIV positive.”
One prospective plan would be moving the CDC’s prevention work to HHS’s Health Resources and Services Administration agency, which also participates in HIV work through The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
However, Milan is notably skeptical of this happening, saying that its work primarily deals with people with HIV, not prevention. “The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program does not fill all the HIV gaps,” said Harold Phillips, deputy director for programs at NMAC, an advocacy group. “It only serves those with an HIV diagnosis.”
Another potential plan being floated would be to cut as much as $700 million from the CDC HIV division. This also hasn’t been decided on yet.
In an emailed statement, Andrew Nixon, a spokesperson for HHS, said “no final decision on streamlining the CDC’s HIV Prevention Division has been made.”
“HHS is following the Administration’s guidance and taking a careful look at all divisions to see where there is overlap that could be streamlined to support the President’s broader efforts to restructure the federal government,” Nixon said. “This is to ensure that HHS better serves the American people at the highest and most efficient standard.”
According to a press release from Quality Comprehensive Health Care, the Trump administration is considering cutting as much as $1 billion dollars.
The Charlotte-based organization is urging readers to contact members of congress immediately to prevent such action.
If you don’t know your representative, you can find them here:
https://www.house.gov/representatives/find-your-representative
You can also call the U.S. Capitol switchboard at (202) 224-3121 and ask to be connected to your representative or senator.