This week, members of U.S. Business Action to End HIV visited Capitol Hill to discuss the importance of sustained federal support for HIV prevention and treatment efforts, including leaders from Alchemy, Gilead Sciences, Healthvana, Match Group, Mercer, Merck, MISTR, and ViiV Healthcare.

Members met with key leaders and staff in offices across the House and Senate, including Rep. Robert B. Aderholt (AL-04), Sen. John Boozman (R-AR), Rep. Buddy Carter (GA-01), Sen. Bill Cassidy (R-LA), Rep. Dan Crenshaw (TX-02), Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME), Rep. Andy Harris (MD-01), Rep. Erin Houchin (IN-09), Sen. Jon Husted (R-OH), Sen. Ashley Moody (R-FL), and Rep. John Moolenaar (MI-02). 

During the meetings, representatives from the Coalition shared the economic benefits of investing in HIV prevention and treatment, and how the business sector is committed to partnering with the Administration and Congress. This partnership builds on the foundation of President Trump's 2019 Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative to achieve the national goal of ending HIV by 2030.

“This week’s meetings on Capitol Hill were a powerful reminder of what’s possible when business leaders and policymakers come together around a shared goal. We were grateful for the opportunity to speak with congressional leaders about the importance of sustained federal investment in HIV prevention and care. A strong public-private partnership is not only critical to ending the HIV epidemic — it’s also a smart investment in the health of our communities and the strength of our economy.”

— Stephen Massey, Co-Founder, U.S. Business Action to End HIV

“It was a monumental two days where businesses came together to share our goals, priorities, and passion for working across sectors to end HIV. We learned from legislators and staffers that they share our goals of ending HIV by 2030. The Hill visits were full of purpose while also providing time to build camaraderie and learn more about the critical work company members are doing as part of U.S. Business Action to End HIV.”

— Carie Harter, Head, Government Relations & Advocacy, ViiV Healthcare

After meeting with Senator Cassidy’s office, Tracy Watts, Senior Partner and U.S. Leader for Healthcare Policy at Mercer, shared: “I was encouraged by their awareness of the HIV challenges in their state and their interest in preserving funding for prevention and care.”

How to Protect Efforts To End the HIV Epidemic

While the private sector is stepping up and investing in workplace education, health benefits, innovation, and public-private partnerships, these efforts cannot succeed alone. The federal government has the opportunity to protect efforts to end the HIV epidemic, including:

• Sustaining funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program and HIV prevention efforts, which have delivered evidence-based interventions to maintain viral suppression, prevent transmissions, and improve the quality of life for those living with HIV.
  
• Strengthening President Trump's EHE initiative, which empowers communities to reduce transmission through local investment and innovation. These investments are working: EHE jurisdictions have seen a 21% drop in new HIV transmissions, nearly double the national average. Research shows that preventing just one transmission can result in $850,557 savings. Continued EHE support could prevent 255,000 new HIV transmissions, growing that cost savings to $216 billion.
  
• Protecting access to zero-cost HIV prevention services like PrEP, because even a 10% drop in PrEP coverage among those most at risk could result in 1,140 more HIV transmissions each year.
  
• Safeguarding Medicaid coverage is essential for early treatment, prevention, and workforce stability. Medicaid covers more than 40% of people with HIV in the United States and focuses on improved health outcomes with viral suppression.

A healthier population leads to a stronger, more resilient workforce, boosts economic productivity, and helps reduce long-term health care costs. The private sector stands ready to collaborate on impactful, cost-effective solutions that benefit public health and the economy.

“Progress takes partnership. This Coalition proves what’s possible when business leaders and lawmakers come together. With real momentum and continued collaboration, ending HIV is within reach.” 

—  Ramin Bastani, CEO, Healthvana

Decades of bipartisan investment have brought us to the brink of ending HIV. Let’s finish the job together.

About Our Coalition: 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 the HIV epidemic 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.

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