HIV POLICY UPDATE

January 29, 2025

Responding to Threats in a New Administration

Last week’s executive orders targeted transgender individuals, migrants, and other marginalized groups, igniting global feelings of anxiety and frustration. Next, the new administration suspended most public communications coming from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services. Additionally, the National Institutes of Health were ordered to enact an “immediate and indefinite” travel suspension. Finally, on Monday, the budget office issued a memo ordering federal agencies to pause grants and loans.

Each of these actions threaten the progress of our work in ending the HIV epidemic in particular and also threaten the progress of public health as a whole. They are also likely to add fuel to the continuing flame of systemic inequities and the progress of human rights of all Americans and those who come to the United States.

In response to these threats, we are tailoring a new approach to address the political and systematic challenges at all levels of government. Every department, committee and member have a role to play in this regard.

Yesterday, a U.S. judge granted a temporary restraining order on part of the freeze of federal loans, grants and other financial assistance pending a hearing on Monday, February 3. Meanwhile, we should let Congress know that this egregious withholding of funds is not only unconstitutional but also unconscionable.

AIDS United has created an action alert to respond to this issue: Tell Congress – Trump Administration’s Federal Funding Freeze Will Hurt People Living with HIV. Please share this information with your colleagues and networks and help urge Congress to block these inhumane attacks.

Medicaid Versus Tax Cuts

As the new administration prioritizes a policy agenda that includes major tax cuts, Medicaid has been offered up as the sacrificial lamb. Any proposal that jeopardizes the future of Medicaid could undermine our fight to end HIV and increase pressure on Ryan White and all similar state programs and could trigger an automatic end to Medicaid expansion in nine states.

In light of these threats, the Academy, with the Federal AIDS Policy Partnership (FAPP) HIV Health Care Access Working Group is urging all its members to help us protect Medicaid.

  1. Please sign on to a letter to Congress from the HIV community opposing all cuts to Medicaid! The form to sign your organization on is here, and the deadline for signature is Wednesday, January 29 at 5:00 p.m. ET.
  2. Join us in an upcoming webinar where we’ll provide background information on Medicaid, the looming threats, and what the HIV community can do to fight back. The webinar will be on Friday, February 7, from 11:00 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. ET, and will be open to anyone and appropriate for all knowledge levels. The link to register for the webinar is here.

ACADEMY HAPPENINGS

Preparing a Strategy 

In preparation for our March strategy meeting, we need to hear how your practice is being affected by threats to public health on the local and state level. It will be important to our strategy that our approach is integrated and informed by clinicians on the ground in both conservative and progressive states. We’d like to invite interested members to a town hall session on Monday, February 17. If you’d like to participate in this session, RSVP at chauncey@aahivm.org.

Partnering with AIDS United

The Academy will join the AIDS United Public Policy Council in Washington, D.C., next month to discuss ways our advocacy can be maximized to reduce these new political threats. These dates are February 11 through February 13.

Congressional Strategies Session

The Academy joined the AIDS Budget and Appropriations Coalition (ABAC) in a deep dive session to discuss congressional strategies on Monday, January 27 to tailor messaging for this divisive political moment. This messaging will need to incorporate voices of clinicians and advocates on the ground.

EVENTS

Alabama HIV Advocacy Day

Registration is now open for Alabama HIV Advocacy Day 2025! On March 11, people with HIV, advocates, allies, HIV/AIDS Service Organizations and community partners will converge on the Alabama State House in Montgomery to educate legislators about the advancements in HIV treatment and prevention, to advocate for sustaining efforts to end HIV and to uplift the needs of the community.

Georgia HIV Advocacy Day

Registration is now open for HIV Advocacy Day at the Gold Dome. On February 6, attendees will have an opportunity to talk one-on-one with their representatives in the House and Senate. This advocacy will educate elected officials on issues like HIV criminalization, HIV education, HIV prevention/care funding, health care access, LGBTQ rights, racial justice and reproductive justice. You can register here: https://secure.everyaction.com/D8X3vp_yWESL8PCPs26_3Q2