In response to the release of a draft HHS budget for fiscal year 2026 that would cut over $1.5 billion of federal funding from our nation’s domestic HIV response by totally eliminating President Trump’s Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative and all CDC HIV prevention and surveillance activities, along with parts of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and minority AIDS programs, we urge President Trump to include funding in his budget to maintain our nation’s HIV response to keep Americans healthy.

The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, along with more than 75 organizations representing patients, providers, and public health advocates, is urging U.S. Secretary of Labor Lori Chavez-DeRemer to issue a promised federal rule that would close a harmful loophole that allows insurers, pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs), and third-party vendors to exploit patient copay assistance programs for financial gain.

We stand ready to work with Secretary Kennedy as he and President Trump seek to improve the health of the American people. Ending infectious and chronic diseases, such as HIV and hepatitis, must be a vital component in the administration’s initiatives. To deliver on the promise of eradicating HIV will require a commitment to science, properly funded public health treatment and prevention programs, and policies that support all populations impacted by HIV. It will also require access to affordable and comprehensive health coverage, including private insurance, Medicaid and Medicare.

The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute led 19 other HIV and hepatitis organizations in filing an amicus brief in Kennedy v Braidwood before the Supreme Court to defend the Affordable Care Act preventive services mandate and ensure that HIV & hepatitis testing and PrEP continue to be covered by insurers without cost-sharing.

“While this action is certainly welcome, the fact remains that Harvard Pilgrim removed lifesaving HIV drugs from its coverage formulary, disrupted the treatment of people living with HIV, and violated the ACA’s nondiscrimination protections,” said Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute. “This demonstrates the need for greater oversight of the health insurance industry and enforcement of the safeguards in place to protect patients against the abuse of insurers.”