Trump Administration Terminates $600 Million in CDC Grants for HIV and STD Prevention
The Trump administration has moved to rescind approximately $600 million in federal health grants awarded by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), effectively terminating funding for numerous programs dedicated to HIV and STD prevention, as well as HIV surveillance. The cuts, confirmed by Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) officials this week, primarily impact public health initiatives in California, Colorado, Illinois, Minnesota, and New York.
The rescinded funds affect a wide range of disease control efforts, including the “Ending the HIV Epidemic” initiative, which aims to reduce new infections by 90% by 2030. According to reports, the terminated grants specifically targeted programs designed to expand access to Pre-Exposure Prophylaxis (PrEP), conduct behavioral surveillance, and support high-risk demographics, including Black women and Latino and African American men. For instance, the cuts are expected to derail the National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Project in Los Angeles County, a critical early-warning system for detecting outbreaks.
An HHS spokesperson stated that the grants were being terminated because they “do not reflect agency priorities.” The department, currently led by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr., has outlined a new strategic direction for the CDC that emphasizes “rebuilding trust” and “modernizing public health infrastructure” while moving away from what the administration has termed “radical gender ideology” and diversity-focused initiatives.
The decision has drawn sharp criticism from public health organizations and Democratic lawmakers, who characterize the move as political retribution against states with Democratic leadership. Senator Tammy Baldwin (D-WI), Chair of the Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, condemned the action, stating, “Diseases don’t stop spreading at state lines or care what political party you are.”
In response to the funding freeze, legal challenges are already underway. California Attorney General Rob Bonta announced a lawsuit against the administration, arguing that the cuts are “arbitrary” and pose immediate risks to public safety. Similarly, officials in Colorado have joined multi-state litigation seeking a temporary restraining order to halt the rescission of funds.
Health experts have warned that eliminating these surveillance and prevention channels could lead to undetected disease spread and higher long-term healthcare costs. The HIV Medicine Association issued a statement calling the cuts “deeply troubling,” noting that the affected programs are essential for maintaining the infrastructure required to track and prevent infectious diseases across the United States.
* umn.edu
* latimes.com
* hivhep.org
* cbsnews.com
* healthcaredive.com
* hivma.org
