This is a consequential moment for HIV prevention in the United States. This week, the Supreme Court heard oral arguments in the Kennedy v. Braidwood Management, Inc. case, which challenges requirements for insurers to cover preventive services like PrEP without cost-sharing. At the same time, a leaked draft of the FY26 HHS budget shows no dedicated federal funding for HIV prevention.

These developments come at a critical juncture in the national effort to end the HIV epidemic, with potential long-term implications for access, investment, and progress.

Amid this uncertainty, businesses across the country continue to play a vital role, advancing workplace programs, supporting community partnerships, and helping to sustain momentum toward an end to the epidemic.

In this month’s Action Report, explore how leaders are raising their voices, hosting honest conversations, innovating new models of care, and so much more. In a time of uncertainty, these leaders prove that business can be a force for meaningful impact. Let’s keep moving forward—together.
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Actions from Members

🆕 Welcome new Coalition Leader: Merck and Coalition Member: Versante.ai!

🎓 B Brand hosted the 3rd Annual Protect the Culture Summit at the Atlanta University Center. The Summit spanned three days of events across five AUC HBCU Campuses. Coalition Director, Mario Harper, participated in a panel discussion on sexual health and wellness at Spelman College, which also included Coalition Leaders, CVS Health and Gilead Sciences. The Summit raised awareness of HIV and provided resources to over 2,000 AUC students.

💡Last week, Mercer released a new article and video highlighting the importance of encouraging employees to know their HIV status. In a follow-up piece, they explored the potential impact of the Kennedy v. Braidwood Supreme Court case and revealed compelling insights from their Survey on Health Policy 2025. Notably, when employers were asked how they would respond if no longer required to offer ACA-mandated preventive services without cost-sharing, only 2% said they would discontinue coverage altogether—indicating strong ongoing support for preventive care.

📝 MISTR’s Founder and CEO Tristan Schukraft was featured in LGBTQ Nation, sharing how the private sector can help end HIV. In the article, Tristan writes, “Businesses have the power and platform to normalize HIV prevention and drive measurable outcomes.” Read the full article here.

👏 RADcube announced a strategic partnership between its AI-driven platform, OSMe Buddy, and Unity Arc Advocacy to support aging populations living with HIV—focusing on both advocacy and care linkage. RADcube also teamed up with Atlanta Community Advisory Council member Princess Jauan Durbin to lead youth-centered campaigns promoting AI adoption and awareness.

From younger communities to older adults, RADcube is focused on building inclusive public health tools that meet people where they are.
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Actions from the Coalition

🏆 U.S. Business Action to End HIV has been selected as one of Modern Healthcare’s 2025 Innovators Award honorees — a national recognition celebrating bold, measurable innovation in healthcare. This work wouldn’t be possible without the esteemed individuals and companies that make up the Coalition. Stephen Massey, Co-Founder and Co-CEO of the Health Action Alliance, shares “This recognition from Modern Healthcare affirms what we know to be true: Health is a shared responsibility, and businesses must lead. At a time when collaboration is more critical than ever, we’re proud to mobilize employers around practical, cross-sector solutions that protect workers, support communities, and drive long-term public health progress. There’s still work to do, but this recognition affirms that U.S. Business Action to End HIV is on the right path."

💼 On April 9, the Coalition hosted the first Atlanta Business Action to End HIV Chapter Meeting of the year, convening corporate and community leaders from across Atlanta for a powerful gathering focused on the current state of HIV in the Metro area and actions the business community can take - individually and together - to address the local epidemic. It was inspiring to be in a room full of leaders who asked tough questions, collaborated on real solutions, and explored bold ideas to help end the local HIV epidemic.

Special thanks to event sponsor, Curant Health, and to Mercer for hosting the event. Want to get involved in the Atlanta Chapter of U.S. Business Action to End HIV? Learn more here!

☕ The Coalition was proud to sponsor Breakfast and Innovation at the NMAC Biomedical Summit on April 11. Coalition Leaders took the stage and shared bold ideas and solutions that are making a real difference in our nation’s efforts to end the epidemic.‍

Alchemy presented Lessons from the Field: Integrated Digital, Clinical, and Pharmacy Innovations to Expand Access to Essential Medicines; ViiV Healthcare shared Holograms & Virtual Reality: Breaking Barriers in HIV Awareness and Stigma with Digital Innovation; Gilead Sciences, in partnership with the Digital Health Institute for Transformation (DHIT) discussed Leveraging Technology to Solve Real Community Challenges in HIV Prevention; and Healthvana explored Can AI Help End HIV?
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Opportunities For Action

🎬 Get ready for National HIV Testing Day! Join us on Wednesday, May 21 from 2–3 PM ET for the Coalition’s annual National HIV Testing Day Workshop. We’re inviting HR leaders, wellness champions, ERG members, and anyone passionate about health equity to explore how your company can step up for #NHTD. From planning impactful activations to supporting your employees and communities, you’ll walk away with ideas that make a difference. Register here to attend.

🍽️  Dine out. End HIV. Beginning today, April 24, food lovers in nearly 20 cities nationwide are dining with purpose through Dining Out For Life, an initiative that supports local organizations serving individuals impacted by HIV. It’s a meaningful way to come together as a team while making a difference in the community. Explore the list of participating cities and restaurants, and if you join in, don’t forget to share your photos with us for a chance to be featured in next month’s newsletter!

🏅 Support the Inaugural Ally Awards – Make an Impact in Houston. On Saturday, May 3, Allies in Hope will host the first-ever Ally Awards, celebrating the Junior League of Houston’s decades-long support, especially of Camp Hope, which has served children affected by HIV for over 25 years. The evening will unite Houston’s leaders, with proceeds supporting Houston Community Partner Allies in Hope’s vital HIV prevention, housing, and support services. Learn more here.

🎗️ Sponsor the Syndemic Summit organized by Community Education Group (CEG), on September 19, 2025, in Huntington, WV. The CEG Syndemic Summit and Healing Appalachian Festival unite experts, advocates, community leaders, and policymakers from across Appalachia to confront urgent public health challenges, including HIV, hepatitis, and overdose prevention. This one-of-a-kind event blends critical dialogue with cultural celebration to inspire resilience, raise awareness, and strengthen regional partnerships. Learn more here.
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This newsletter is made possible with additional support from
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Coalition in the News

The government is abandoning the fight against HIV. Businesses need to step up & fill the void‍

LGBTQ Nation (Mar 8)

MISTR Founder and CEO Tristan Schukraft shares how the private sector can help end HIV.

Primary care’s crucial role in ending HIV: A call to action

Medical Economics (Apr 10)

Coalition HIV Leadership Advisory Council member Dr. Taimur Khan shares best practices to empower primary care providers in delivering high-quality HIV care and help advance our national goal of ending the epidemic.
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HIV in the News

Is This the Beginning of a New H.I.V. Crisis?

New York Times (Apr 8)

Federal budget cuts coupled with attempts to undermine HIV funding and programming have scared some patients from seeking proper care and treatment, further underlining the need for healthcare providers to ensure PrEP screening and prescribing remains a routine part of their work.

Leaked HHS budget signals $40B in cuts, assumes ACA subsidies expire

Fierce Healthcare (Apr 17)

A leaked federal budget proposal reveals the potential for major cuts to HIV funding, including the elimination of the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative and key Ryan White program services, as part of a broader $40 billion reduction to HHS. If approved, the plan would significantly reduce the federal government’s role in HIV prevention and care.

HIV prevention medication now available without doctor prescription in Illinois

WIFR Newsroom (Apr 23)

A standing order from the Illinois Department of Public Health allows residents to get PrEP, HIV preventative medication, directly from a pharmacist.

What Does the Future Hold for the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative (EHE)?

KFF (Apr 23)

A brief policy analysis of the status and future of the Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative.
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Leading By Example

“Leading by Example” is a series from U.S. Business Action to End HIV highlighting inspiring business leaders who are accelerating progress toward an end to the HIV epidemic in the U.S.
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Tracy Watts

Senior Partner, US Leader for Healthcare Policy

Mercer

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Mercer is doing a lot of work to educate employers about HIV and the role they can play in supporting their employees. What are some key learnings you've taken away from those conversations so far?

Don't assume anything. Many people know very little about HIV, and that can include benefit professionals. We start discussions with education and by looking at the employer’s own pharmacy data and demographic information. We look at network adequacy. If access to providers that prescribe PrEP is limited and there is a possible health equity issue, that can be a call to action for some employers.  

What advice would you give to other corporate leaders considering taking action on HIV?  

Just do it. From a cost perspective, preventive care is always less expensive than treatment.  HIV is not like other chronic diseases – it spreads between people, unlike diabetes or high blood pressure – and it is possible to manage so that it is undetectable and untransmittable. This is how we get to the end of HIV – as one by one, people take steps to protect themselves and others. Businesses accelerate the process every time they help someone who likely feels stigmatized and may not know where to go for care. If access to care is challenging, the good news is that virtual options exist – for testing, prescribing, ongoing lab work and counseling. In addition, U.S. Business Action to End HIV offers free tools and resources for employers. On May 21, there is a workshop for employers who are interested in learning more about National HIV Testing Day on June 27. It is an easy way to promote HIV education and testing at work when social media and news outlets will be covering and promoting as well.

Why is it important for Mercer to be part of the U.S. Business Action to End HIV coalition?

As a leader in our field, we think it is important to lean in on big opportunities to have a positive impact in our market and the larger community – and ending HIV is a clear and achievable opportunity that benefits everyone.

Read Tracy's full profile here
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Coming Up

May 6

Lunch & Learn: Fighting HIV Stigma Through B/ERG Programming
(1-2pm ET, virtual)
Register here.

May 21

National HIV Testing Day Workshop
(2-3pm ET, virtual)
RSVP here.

June 5

Q2 National Coalition Meeting
(2-3pm ET, virtual)
Please email endhiv@healthaction.org if you have not received an invitation.

June 27

National HIV Testing Day
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Thank you for your commitment and leadership. Let's keep up the momentum!

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