CDC Terminates Direct Community Grants: 11 Texas HIV Prevention Groups Face $29.2 Million Funding Loss

Eleven community organizations across Texas are set to lose direct federal funding for HIV testing and prevention following the expiration of a national CDC grant program on Sept. 30, the Texas Tribune reported on Nov. 12. Texas-based recipients secured $29.2 million over the program’s five-year run, averaging more than $3 million annually.

Launched in 2021, the initiative designated PS21-2102 distributed funds directly to community groups to support HIV testing, linkage to care, and pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP). Texas emerged as the program’s largest beneficiary.

For residents in Houston, San Antonio, Austin, and Dallas who rely on complimentary testing through neighborhood clinics, mobile vans, and outreach events, the shift may result in fewer testing sites and longer wait times. Texas currently ranks fifth nationally for new HIV diagnoses per capita, according to 2024 AIDSVu data cited by the Tribune.

Groups in Houston, Austin and San Antonio

The Tribune identified three of the 11 Texas groups affected. Allies in Hope in Houston received approximately $441,000 annually and performs roughly 2,000 tests per year, more than a quarter of which were covered by the grant. Losing the funding “takes out a good chunk of the number of people that we are able to test,” said CEO William Jeffrey Campbell.

Black Efforts Against the Threat of AIDS in San Antonio was the program’s largest recipient nationwide, conducting about 5,000 tests annually, 20% of them grant-funded. San Antonio reports 300 to 400 new HIV diagnoses each year. “For us to let up on the gas right now is just not our smartest move,” said executive director Michele Durham.

In Austin, the grant accounted for 30% of Vivent Health’s HIV prevention funding, supporting outreach testing and awareness. The organization stated it intends to keep testing for sexually transmitted infections free for as long as possible, KSAT reported.

Community organizations often reach populations that health departments miss. From 2012 to 2017, community groups identified new HIV cases in 1.4% of CDC-funded tests, compared with 0.5% at health departments, according to the Tribune. “The front line in the testing portion of it really are the community-based organizations,” said Philip Keiser, a University of Texas Medical Branch professor who studies HIV.

Funding Shifted to Health Departments

The CDC did not respond to the Tribune’s request for comment. When the decision became public in July, the administration stated it would route HIV prevention money through state health departments, which would then decide whether to fund community groups, Government Executive reported. HHS press secretary Emily Hilliard said at the time that “local decision-making will remain central to combatting HIV.”

Nationally, the program distributed $239.3 million to 96 community organizations, according to a KFF analysis. KFF determined that the new health department funding is not designed to replace direct grants and estimated that community groups could receive between 27% and 71% less than in the old program’s final year.

In Texas, the Department of State Health Services received a one-time allocation of more than $5.2 million through May 2027. Approximately $1.2 million, or roughly 23%, of that sum will go to community groups.

Philip Huang, director of Dallas County Health and Human Services, described the period as chaotic and uncertain for local health officials. Anthony Fojo, a medicine professor at Johns Hopkins, characterized cutting testing money as “penny wise and pound foolish.”

Lawmakers and Advocates Push Back

The reductions drew criticism from Texas officials and advocates. “This is a huge hit to our ability to respond to the epidemic,” said state Rep. Venton Jones, a Dallas Democrat. Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, noted that advocates have been on the defensive in a manner they were not during President Trump’s first term.

Groups now depend on state subcontracts. CDC employees told Government Executive in July that the new arrangement could increase administrative costs, slow the flow of money to community groups, and create oversight gaps. “Outreach allows access, testing and meeting people where they’re at,” said Emma Sinnott of Vivent Health.

Testing, PrEP and the Cost of Late Diagnosis

The individuals most affected are those who utilize free community testing due to lack of insurance, distance from a clinic, or a preference for trusted service providers. Early diagnosis matters for everyone; those who learn their status early can begin treatment sooner, and treatment that keeps the virus undetectable prevents sexual transmission.

The CDC recommends that everyone ages 13 to 64 get tested for HIV at least once, and that people at higher risk get tested more frequently. PrEP, available as daily pills or long-acting injections, is highly effective when taken as prescribed and requires a negative HIV test before initiation, according to the CDC. Most private insurance plans are required to cover PrEP without cost sharing.

Free or low-cost testing remains available through many local health departments, including Austin Public Health and Dallas County Health and Human Services, as well as community clinics and pharmacies. “We want to ensure that there are access points across a public health system,” said Laura La Fuente, assistant director of Austin Public Health.

Anyone who may have been exposed to HIV should seek post-exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours at an emergency department or urgent care clinic. Fever, rash, sore throat, or swollen glands after a possible exposure should be checked promptly.

MedicalDaily will report on how Texas distributes its replacement funds and whether community groups reduce testing hours in 2027.

Key Questions Answered

What funding did Texas lose? Direct CDC funding for HIV testing and prevention for 11 community groups, totaling $29.2 million over five years.

Which organizations are affected? The Tribune named Allies in Hope in Houston, Vivent Health in Austin, and Black Efforts Against the Threat of AIDS in San Antonio.

Why did the CDC end the program? The CDC did not comment. The administration said in July it would route funding through health departments instead.

Is any replacement money coming? Texas DSHS received more than $5.2 million through May 2027, with about $1.2 million going to community groups.

Where can I get an HIV test now? Local health departments, community clinics, and some pharmacies still offer free or low-cost testing.

What should I do after a possible exposure? Seek post-exposure prophylaxis within 72 hours at an emergency department or urgent care clinic.

Source link