The US is slashing HIV/Aids funding. A ‘steady drumbeat’ of activists stands at the ready
Summary
Activists protested in New York against recent cuts to U.S. HIV/AIDS funding and new Medicaid rules that could reduce healthcare access for many people with HIV. The Trump administration’s policies, including work requirements for Medicaid and budget cuts to key HIV programs, have raised concerns about worsening health outcomes for those affected.Key Facts
- An AIDS rally in New York marked 45 years since the first reported HIV cases and included a “die-in” to honor those lost.
- The HIV/AIDS crisis has killed over 700,000 Americans and about 40 million people worldwide since 1981.
- New Medicaid rules require low-income Americans to work or study 80 hours a month to keep coverage, risking coverage loss for 5 to 10 million people by 2028.
- About 40% of Americans with HIV currently rely on Medicaid, and 85% depend on it at some point in their lives.
- The U.S. House proposed cutting $225 million from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, which helps half of Americans with HIV.
- Some state AIDS drug assistance programs are running out of funds and placing people on waitlists.
- Proposed 2027 budgets aim to eliminate HIV prevention funding at the CDC and reduce federal support for housing aid for people with AIDS.
- Activists and organizations are campaigning, lobbying Congress, and preparing legal challenges against these policies and funding cuts.
Read the Full Article
This is a fact-based summary from The Actual News. Click below to read the complete story directly from the original source.