The Trump administration is considering a plan that could eliminate the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) HIV prevention division, potentially shifting its responsibilities to another agency within the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), according to a source familiar with the discussions.
While still in the early stages, the potential restructuring has already sparked concern among public health advocates, who fear the move could disrupt crucial HIV prevention efforts and increase costs for taxpayers if new infections rise. A memo circulating among advocacy groups suggested the change could happen within days, though sources say it may take longer to finalize.
Concerns Over Rising HIV Risk
The CDC’s HIV prevention division plays a pivotal role in tracking infections, conducting research on transmission, and promoting prevention measures like HIV testing and PrEP, a medication that reduces the risk of infection. Over the years, these efforts have led to a significant decline in new HIV cases, especially among young people aged 13 to 24.
However, if the division is eliminated, experts warn that the progress made in HIV prevention could be reversed. In 2022 alone, there were an estimated 31,800 new HIV infections in the U.S., and without federal support, states may be left to shoulder the burden of prevention programs.
Jesse Milan, president and CEO of AIDS United, emphasized the potential consequences:
“It would be devastating. Every new HIV transmission results in a lifetime of medical costs and health challenges. Cutting these programs puts more Americans at risk.”
Uncertainty Over Future of HIV Programs
Under the proposed plan, HIV prevention efforts could be transferred to the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), which currently focuses on providing care for individuals living with HIV through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. However, experts point out that HRSA’s primary focus is treatment, not prevention.
Harold Phillips, deputy director for programs at NMAC, a national advocacy group, cautioned:
“The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program does not fill all the gaps. It only serves those who already have an HIV diagnosis. Prevention efforts are critical to stopping the virus before it spreads further.”
Additionally, a separate proposal to cut up to $700 million from the CDC’s HIV prevention funding remains under discussion, though no final decisions have been made.
Advocates Push Back Against Proposed Changes
Public health leaders have expressed strong opposition to any move that would weaken HIV prevention efforts, arguing that these programs have saved lives and significantly reduced infection rates over the past decades.
“Dismantling the CDC’s HIV prevention division would be a step backward in the fight against HIV,” said Milan. “Instead of eliminating these critical resources, we should be strengthening them to ensure continued progress.”
In response to growing concerns, HHS spokesperson Andrew Nixon stated that no final decision has been made:
“HHS is reviewing all divisions to identify areas that could be streamlined as part of the administration’s broader efforts to restructure the federal government. Our goal is to serve the American people at the highest and most efficient standard.”
The CDC’s HIV prevention division has been a cornerstone of the nation’s response to the HIV/AIDS epidemic since the early 1980s. Any changes to its structure or funding could have lasting implications for public health efforts across the country.
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