Bay Area nonprofits brace for cuts, warn HIVAIDS progress could unravel

Bay Area nonprofits delivering critical HIV/AIDS services are preparing for severe funding cuts due to impending reductions in federal support. Local health experts warn that a decline in prevention and treatment services could reverse decades of progress, potentially triggering a new HIV crisis. During a recent AIDS Walk fundraiser, California Sen. Scott Wiener condemned the government's apparent disregard for healthcare access, emphasizing the urgency of the situation. Tiffany Gordan's experience underscores the necessity of these services for marginalized communities, highlighting the direct impact on individual lives.

Most of the funding for programs like Gordan's comes from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS CARE Act, which has been pivotal in combating the epidemic. In a concerning policy shift, the second Trump Administration proposes to cut over $2 billion from federal HIV prevention services for fiscal year 2026. Approximately 143,254 individuals, or 12% of those living with HIV in the U. S. , reside in California, with 21% in the Bay Area.

Advocates stress that losing these resources could lead to catastrophic health outcomes for the community.