Advocacy Messages for the National Conference on Social Work

The Professional Association of Social Workers and HIV/AIDS (PASWHA) suggests the following messages for you to send to Congress: 

Prevention 

The US has held a 39% decrease in new HIV infections since 2010 through effective prevention efforts of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's HIV efforts and guidance.  We know what to do!  Each new infection costs more than 30 times to the US Government than prevention costs per person.  FULLY FUND HIV PREVENTION EFFORTS in 2026! DO NOTE CUT THE CDC – NEW COSTS to the US will EXPLODE! 

Care & Treatment 

The Ryan White Program serving those in the US with HIV disease combined with the Medicaid program serve more than 65% of persons living with HIV.  While we have been successful at greatly reducing new infections, every day there are more people living with HIV than the day before.  Level funding is a cut.  DO NOT CUT RYAN WHITE.  If Medicaid is cut, mor than 400,000 people with lose insurance costing the US millions in catastrophic medical costs. No work requirements for Medicaid recipients – they wouldn’t be on Medicaid if individuals were not disabled! 

Housing 

HOPWA has placed more than 20,000 new individuals into housing while providing housing for 45,740 households, and provided 106,611 individuals with supportive services. More than 34% of people with HIV need housing support.  If a person with HIV is housed, new HIV infections reduce.  FUND HOPWA at $750 million for FY26 and do not consolidate it with ESG and the Homeless Continua of Care!  We need dedicated funding for public health and to reduce overall costs. 

Research 

The National Institutes of Health (NIH) proposed 40% cuts in the FY 2026 budget will mean more ill children and adults will cost the US 3 times these cuts over the coming years and will mean premature and early death to US citizens.  DO NOT CUT NIH!