On Friday, Sept. 25, 2025, U.S. Business Action to End HIV sent an urgent letter to House Appropriations Committee leadership expressing serious concerns about proposed cuts to HIV prevention and treatment programs in the 2026 budget negotiations.

The Stakes Are High

The proposed legislation would eliminate a staggering $1.7 billion for domestic HIV programs, including:

• Complete elimination of all federal funding for HIV prevention activities nationwide ($1 billion)
• More than $500 million cut to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (a 20% decrease)
• Complete elimination of the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative, originally implemented by President Trump in 2019.

HIV continues to impact communities across America, with over 1.2 million Americans currently living with the virus and approximately 39,000 new transmissions occurring last year. However, we now have the prevention and treatment tools to end the epidemic in the U.S.

Our Coalition, representing nearly 100 employers across diverse industries, remains committed to supporting our nation’s efforts to end HIV. But it requires sustained federal partnership alongside private sector investment. The proposed cuts threaten to undermine the scientific breakthroughs and decades of progress that have brought us to this pivotal moment.

Real Impact

Federal HIV programs deliver results. The Ryan White Program serves over 576,000 Americans, including many in rural communities who would otherwise lack access due to gaps in health coverage. More than 90% of Ryan White clients achieve viral suppression, keeping them healthy and preventing further transmission. President Trump's EHE initiative has already reduced new transmissions by 21% in targeted areas, nearly double the national average.

Every HIV transmission prevented saves more than $1.1 million in lifetime health care expenses. Beyond saving billions in long-term costs, these programs strengthen America's workforce and sustain healthier communities nationwide. Our member companies understand this; they're investing in workplace education, employee health benefits, and local partnerships, but federal support ensures these efforts succeed, preventing higher long-term health care and insurance costs.

Moving Forward Together

We are encouraged by the bipartisan commitment in the Senate to maintain strong funding levels for HIV prevention and treatment, and we urge that final FY2026 appropriations reflect this same commitment to protecting public health.

Cutting these programs would undermine decades of bipartisan investment and ultimately increase costs for taxpayers. We cannot end HIV while eliminating the programs that make progress possible.

U.S. Business Action to End HIV remains ready to engage with policymakers to support sustained federal funding alongside our continued private sector investment. With the right partnership, we can finish the job together.

About U.S. Business Action to End HIV

U.S. Business Action to End HIV was founded in 2022 by the Health Action Alliance, with support from ViiV Healthcare, to mobilize the private sector to help end HIV in the U.S. We offer free tools, resources, and events to help employers educate workers, fight stigma, improve access to HIV prevention and treatment services, and build connections to the communities that need it most.‍

‍Join the Coalition today.