While patients currently have access to free or affordable HIV medications through various avenues, we are concerned that setting an arbitrarily low price for these treatments could negatively impact future drug development and reduce manufacturers’ willingness to continue providing medications to millions of people in underdeveloped and underserved nations. It is essential that manufacturers have the necessary incentives to invest in research and development, enabling the creation of longer-acting treatments, preventive drugs, vaccines, and potentially even a cure for the virus. Overlooking the impact of current assistance programs on HIV treatment affordability, as well as mandating alternative drug options, disregards the nuances of HIV care and the unique requirements of each patient.
Oppose domestic HIV programs cuts of over $541 million in Labor HHS approps. bill
There are currently over 1.2 million people living with HIV in the United States and approximately 32,000 new diagnoses annually, with only 65 percent of people virally suppressed and only 36 percent of the people who would benefit from PrEP on it. While we are making progress, racial, ethnic, gender, and geographic disparities persist, and continued investments are needed to reduce new infections and bring more people into care and treatment.
Senate testimony on FY25 appropriations for HIV and hepatitis programs
Our nation can eliminate both HIV and viral hepatitis, but without investing additional resources to accelerate our efforts, we will continue to fall short of these ambitious goals. Increased investment–and certainly not cuts–in surveillance, education, prevention, and care and treatment will lead to further progress in reducing HIV and viral hepatitis, which include taking a syndemic approach to achieve maximum impact.
House testimony on FY25 appropriations for HIV and hepatitis programs
Our nation can eliminate both HIV and viral hepatitis, but without an infusion of new resources to accelerate our efforts, we will continue to fall short of these ambitious goals. While we realize strict spending caps are in place, increased investment – and certainly not cuts – in surveillance, education, prevention, and care and treatment will lead to further progress in reducing HIV and viral hepatitis, which include taking a syndemic approach to achieve maximum impact. The programs and funding increases detailed below are pivotal to our nation’s ability to end both these potentially deadly infectious diseases.
Oppose domestic HIV programs cuts of $767 million & proposed amendments
The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute urges all members of the House of Representatives to oppose the FY24 Labor HHS Appropriations Bill (HR 5894) due to the $767 million in cuts to HIV domestic prevention and treatment programs, massive cuts to other related programs, and the many damaging social policy riders that are directed to the communities most impacted by HIV.