Donald Trump wants to cut CDC staff and reduce funding for HIV prevention in his reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services. According to Christopher Cuevas, senior project director at AIDS United, “it makes no sense.”
Trump wants to save $700 million with the cuts, endangering the lives of 1.2 million people exposed to HIV, as if the life of each of these people was worth less than $585.
For Christopher Cuevas, “HIV treatment has historically been more expensive compared to other diseases, but it should not prevent us from providing care to those who need it. The National Institute of Health (NIH) estimates that the lifetime cost of HIV treatment is $420,285 per person. Investing in prevention means reducing future costs. The NIH estimates that the savings from preventing a new HIV transmission is $229,800, almost half of what it costs to treat each person. We must ensure care for those who need it, regardless of their economic situation.
“It would be extremely difficult for the CDC’s work to be absorbed by other programs. Without them, efforts to slow the rate of HIV may be lost or shifted to the states, and there is no guarantee that the states will accept responsibility. State budgets are tight and cannot replace the lost resources, which will result in more cases of HIV, higher medical costs, and more deaths. This change will accentuate the differences for the populations most affected by HIV: young people, black and Latino people, immigrants and LGBTQ+ people,” Cuevas points out.
“HIV is constantly mutating,” he adds. “It is essential to invest in research to strengthen public health and ensure that our country keeps up with medical and scientific advances. New cases of HIV will result in billions in costs that could have been avoided. An increase of just one thousand cases would wipe out any savings.” “The president has broad executive authority under the Constitution, but that does not mean his authority is limitless. The Trump Administration should focus on humane solutions that protect people from preventable illness and premature death,” he says.
AIDS United is opposed to any cuts to HIV funding and is calling on the public to take action: “Call your representatives in Congress to express your opposition. AIDS United will continue to promote solutions that guarantee equitable access to HIV care and prevention.”
