The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute respectfully submits this testimony in support of increased funding for domestic HIV and hepatitis programs at the Department of Health and Human Services for FY 2027. Specifically, this testimony is in support of funding for the following initiatives, programs and divisions: Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative – $395 million for the CDC Division of HIV/AIDS Prevention, $358.6 million for the HRSA Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, $207.3 million for the HRSA Community Health Centers, and $52 million for the Indian Health Service; Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program – $3.13 billion; CDC Division of HIV Prevention – $822.7 million; CDC Division of Viral Hepatitis – $150 million; and the HHS Office of Infectious Disease and HIV/AIDS Policy – $7.6 million. We also support maintaining funding for CDC’s Eliminating Opioid-Related Infectious Diseases Program and Division of Adolescent and School Health; the Minority HIV/AIDS Initiative; AIDS Research at the NIH; the Title X Family Planning Program; the Teen Pregnancy Prevention Program; and the SAMHSA Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot.
Comments to CMS Administrator Oz opposing the Guarding U.S. Medicare Against Rising Drug Costs (GUARD) model
The HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute strongly opposes the GUARD Model because it prioritizes projected federal savings over the health and financial stability of Medicare beneficiaries. By moving forward with a framework that acknowledges multibillion-dollar cost increases for patients and relies on a retrospective monitoring system, CMS leaves those who depend on continuous, life-sustaining treatment without meaningful protection from harm. We urge CMS to withdraw this proposal and instead pursue alternative reforms that offer immediate, point-of-sale affordability without jeopardizing treatment access, destabilizing essential safety nets, or undermining the research and development necessary to reach future therapeutic advances and cures.
Patient Group Letter to Sec. Kennedy on ensuring patient access and affordability under TrumpRx
We joined with the Arthritis Foundation on a letter signed by 20 patient groups to HHS Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. and CMS Administrator Dr. Oz regarding TrumpRx, thanking them for their efforts for lowering Rx costs, but highlighting the need to ensure that patients are aware that their costs do not count towards their insurance requirements and cost-sharing.
Letter to Secretary Kennedy opposing changes to the PRWORA that limit testing, treatment, and prevention for communicable diseases
Thank you for the opportunity to comment on new guidance the Department of Health and Human Services has issued on the interpretation of “federal public benefits” under the Personal Responsibility and Work Opportunity Reconciliation Act (PRWORA). We oppose any changes that limit access to testing, treatment, and prevention for communicable diseases, including HIV and hepatitis. New limits on access by “non-qualified” immigrants to healthcare for the testing, treatment, or prevention of communicable disease endanger not just those individuals, but by allowing communicable diseases to go undiagnosed, untreated, and unprevented, increase transmission, raise prevalence, and endanger the health of everyone in the United States.
Senate testimony on FY26 appropriations for HIV and hepatitis
As a nation, we are able to advance efforts to end the HIV and viral hepatitis epidemics. We possess proven prevention tools, including pre-exposure prophylaxis medication (PrEP), and effective treatments. We urge you to continue your historically strong commitment and leverage this pivotal moment to support the nation’s public health by comprehensively addressing these chronic diseases. 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 and allow us to continue to hold the promise of ending these epidemics.