Zero out the epidemic NOT the budget

By Sarah Hamilton September 5, 2023

“It’s hard to overstate the importance of U.S. funding in the global response to HIV & AIDS. We need to raise the alarm: If political divisions interrupt the significant progress made in the fight against AIDS, communities throughout the U.S. and the world will suffer. ” – Masen Davis, Executive Director, FCAA

The U.S. has made remarkable progress against HIV. For example, annual new infections decreased by 12% between 2017 and 2021. In addition, the availability of innovative prevention strategies such as pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) have helped prevent new HIV cases in those most at risk.

But our progress is in danger.

In its proposed FY24 appropriations bill, the House of Representatives reduced HIV spending by over half a billion dollars. Though this is not the final budget, we must take action to ensure that funding is protected for critical programs.

FCAA and amfAR (The Foundation for AIDS Research) created a data visualization to highlight the impact these cuts might have across all HIV/AIDS programs. The analysis looked specifically at the Ending the HIV in Epidemic in the U.S. program by way of example. By examining FCAA’s data on philanthropic funding to EHE jurisdictions, a stark reality emerges: there is no safety net should these federal funding cuts be implemented. Philanthropic funding is just a fraction of the overall U.S. response to HIV/AIDS and cannot replace the magnitude or reach of federal resources.

“Progress fighting HIV is not permanent and the proposed funding cuts will result in a backslide and harm to many thousands of people. The essential HIV programs supported by federal funding have resulted in less people getting HIV and more people with HIV accessing care. We will not stand by while hard-won gains fighting HIV are torn down so cavalierly; it is our elected officials’ most basic responsibility to ensure the safety of all of us, but this is what happens when a previously bipartisan health issue falls prey to the latest ideological tug-of-war.” – Greg Millett, Vice President & Director, Public Policy, amfAR

In addition to the infographic, supporting materials are available to help the community amplify these messages and advocate for protecting critical HIV/AIDS funding: