HIV Prevention (Photo – NIAID)
In response to looming federal funding cuts, the Los Angeles County Board of Supervisors has approved a motion aimed at safeguarding critical HIV prevention programs by tapping into California’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Rebate Fund.
By News Desk
The motion, co-authored by Chair Pro Tem and First District Supervisor Hilda L. Solis and Third District Supervisor Lindsey P. Horvath, calls on the state to use ADAP Rebate Fund dollars to help sustain services that face elimination under recent federal budget proposals.
With approximately 58,000 residents living with HIV and about 1,400 new infections each year, Los Angeles County has the second-largest HIV epidemic in the United States. Nearly 6,800 residents are believed to be unaware of their HIV status. Vulnerable groups, including gay and bisexual men, transgender individuals, people with substance use disorders, the unhoused, and women of color, are disproportionately affected.
“The potential loss of federal funding threatens programs that are crucial for preventing new infections and supporting vulnerable communities,” said Supervisor Solis. “This motion is about protecting our progress and ensuring that no one in our County is left behind as we continue the work to end HIV.”
The County’s prevention efforts have historically depended on federal support, including partnerships with the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and participation in the national Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative. However, recent federal budget drafts have proposed eliminating these efforts, with no HIV prevention funding included in the 2026 presidential budget blueprint and staffing cuts at the CDC’s Division of HIV Prevention.
“Los Angeles County cannot, and will not, stand by as lifesaving HIV prevention programs are gutted at the federal level,” said Supervisor Horvath. “The ADAP Rebate Fund is a resource that must be mobilized now to keep our communities safe, healthy, and empowered.”
Under the motion, the County’s Chief Executive Office will send a formal letter signed by all five supervisors to Governor Gavin Newsom and the California Department of Finance, urging the inclusion of ADAP Rebate dollars in the state budget. Copies will be sent to key state legislative leaders and the Los Angeles County state delegation.
The Board also directed the County to seek partnerships with philanthropic organizations to support HIV prevention efforts, emphasizing a coordinated, community-driven response to an enduring public health crisis.
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