**US HIV Council Warns Budget Cuts Threaten Health Progress**
A key health advisory group is warning that proposed federal budget cuts could seriously harm the fight against HIV in the United States. The Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA) raised the alarm on Monday, December 1, 2025, about the possible rollback of funding for programs that help prevent the spread of HIV and provide care to those already living with the virus.
The council, which advises the White House on HIV-related policies, stated that more than two decades of progress could be reversed if the cuts take place. These cuts include reductions to the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), as well as domestic healthcare funding that supports low-income individuals. PEPFAR has been a central part of global HIV/AIDS efforts, especially in providing medicine and support to millions around the world.
In the United States, the programs at risk serve many at-risk communities, including Black and Latino populations, LGBTQ people, and those living in rural areas. PACHA stressed that slashing resources for HIV testing, prevention, and treatment could result in more infections, reduced access to medication, and increased health inequalities.
The warning comes as Congress debates the federal budget for 2026. Lawmakers are considering major spending cuts as part of efforts to reduce the national deficit. Some of these proposed cuts affect funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, and other public health programs that provide HIV-related services.
Dr. John Wiesman, a PACHA member and former Washington state health secretary, cautioned that the U.S. could lose ground after years of progress. He pointed out that with strong investment, the country had been on track to lower new HIV infections sharply over the next decade. “If these programs are cut now, we will undo a lot of the good work that has saved lives and improved public health,” he said.
The council urged the Biden administration and Congress to protect HIV-related funding and to continue the nation’s goal of ending the epidemic. Without proper support, experts warn the U.S. may face rising case numbers and greater long-term health costs.
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