Organizations working to combat HIV in Louisiana are bracing for potential funding cuts under the Trump administration. A memo obtained by Louisiana Public Radio, from the Louisiana Department of Health, says $12 million in grant funding from the Centers for Disease Control & Prevention, could now be at risk.
The money is used to fund testing, track new HIV cases, connect people who test positive with health care providers and reduce stigma. Reporter Rosemary Westwood says healthcare providers fear cuts could lead to a resurgence of the virus. “Well, they are worried basically about a major setback in fighting HIV in this state. I talked to groups in New Orleans and Baton Rouge and they all told me they are on edge. They’re in this kind of limbo where they know the administration has gutted HIV prevention work, but they don’t know if their own grants could be next.”
Potential Cuts in Federal Funding May Jeopardize Battle Against HIV in Louisiana
