The HIV Safety Net is Under Attack
Some of our most essential federal HIV programs are in grave danger. House Republicans recently put forward a spending bill for 2024 that would all but eliminate any chance we have of ending the HIV epidemic by 2030, dismantling our federal HIV response and placing millions of people living with and vulnerable to HIV at significant risk. If passed, this spending bill would slash $767 million in spending on federal HIV programs, including:
- Defunding the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative.
- Defunding all of Part F of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, including the AIDS education and training centers, Special Projects of National Significance Program and dental coverage.
- Cutting over $150 million in funding for the Minority AIDS Initiative.
These massive and irresponsible spending cuts demonstrate a staggering disinterest in making the investments that are required to end the HIV epidemic by 2030. Congress urgently needs to reject these cuts and in their stead provide increased support that is in line with our community’s funding requests.
We need your help today to ensure Congress does not cut or flat-fund these critical HIV programs. We cannot end the HIV epidemic in the United States without this funding. Help us by writing to your member of Congress today. Visit AIDS United to learn more and send a message now.
Getting Involved
NAHEWD is committed to a workforce that has the capacity, desire, and skill to prevent, diagnose, and treat HIV. A well-trained workforce is essential to ending the HIV epidemic.
Creating and sustaining this workforce takes resources and expertise. The NAHEWD Government Affairs Committee engages with and educates policy makers on the importance of the AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs) as an essential source of training, technical assistance, and clinical consultation provided by national and local experts, and the resources needed to sustain the AETCs at a level commensurate with workforce development needs.
With the new challenges in health care delivery created by the COVID-19 pandemic, AETCs are even more essential than ever. AETCs have been on the frontlines of helping providers adapt to this new reality for themselves and the patients they care for.
You can partner with us by letting your Congress members know you support expanded funding to sustain the work of the AETCs.
To learn more about the AETCs, our resource needs, and how we fit into the government’s plan to end the HIV epidemic, please see the documents below:
Recommendation to Reinstate Funding for the AIDS Education Training Center Program
NAHEWD AETC Program Funding FY 2022 Recommendation
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program National HIV Curriculum Usage Highlights July 2017-December 2020
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Highlights of the AETC National Programs (FY2019)
Regional AETCs Evaluation Report Highlights 2016-2019 Infographic
AETC Program’s Critical Role in Ending the HIV Epidemic in America
Ending the HIV Epidemic in the United States: A Roadmap for Federal Action
