Trump admin planning to consolidate HIV programs, slashing ‘overhead’ and DEI: official
The Trump administration is taking steps to consolidate two HIV/AIDS prevention programs in an effort to cut costs and streamline efficiency. According to an administration official speaking to Fox News Digital, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) will merge their similar programs into one under HRSA’s administration.
The proposal is part of the administration’s agenda to downsize the federal government and eliminate redundancies. By combining the two programs, the administration aims to reduce administrative costs and improve effectiveness. The official mentioned that having two separate programs with billion-dollar budgets each doesn’t make sense and that merging them will help allocate resources more efficiently.
Both the CDC and HRSA are agencies under the Department of Health and Human Services, overseen by Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. The consolidation of the HIV/AIDS prevention programs is still in the preliminary stages, but if implemented, it would involve examining DEI-related spending for the two programs. The Trump administration has previously cut funding for DEI programs and initiatives as part of its cost-saving measures.
The CDC focuses on preventing infectious diseases, including HIV, while HRSA runs the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP), which provides medical care for low-income individuals with HIV. In 2019, Trump launched the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative, operated by the CDC, with the goal of reducing HIV cases by 75% by 2025 and 90% by 2030.
The proposal to consolidate the HIV/AIDS prevention programs comes amidst broader government shake-ups across federal sectors. The Department of Government Efficiency, led by Elon Musk, has been involved in mass firings of thousands of workers in recent weeks.
Overall, the administration’s plan to merge the CDC and HRSA programs reflects its commitment to cost-saving measures and improving efficiency in government operations. The consolidation is still in the works, but if approved, it could lead to a more streamlined approach to HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment.
