California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Secures Largest One-Time State Investment in the Fight Against HIV in the Nation’s History

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus Secures Largest One-Time State Investment in the Fight Against HIV in the Nation’s History

SACRAMENTO, CA — Recently, the California State Legislature approved and the Governor has signed a historic and transformational plan. The HIV Free-Future Plan will invest more than $500 million over four years to help end the HIV epidemic in the Golden State. This commitment represents the largest one-time state investment in the fight against HIV/AIDS in our nation’s history. Announced during Pride Month, the investment underscores the Legislature’s ongoing commitment to protecting the health and well-being of all Californians. It is important to underscore that this invest will empower not just the LGBTQ+ community, but also all communities who are impacted by HIV, to live long healthy lives. Including women, especially black women who make up half of all new diagnosis among women, anyone that uses drugs, and many folks who are not a part of the LGBTQ+ community. 

“HIV/AIDS has shaped and impacted generations of LGBTQ+ people, and California has never wavered in our commitment to meet this crisis with compassion, science, and action,” said Assemblymember Chris Ward (D–San Diego), Chair of the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. “At a time when federal leaders are walking away from proven public health investments and abandoning communities most impacted by HIV, California is stepping up with the largest one-time state investment in the fight against HIV in our nation’s history. This historic commitment will save lives, expand access to prevention and treatment, and help move us closer to ending the HIV epidemic once and for all. I am deeply grateful to our Speaker Rivas, Pro Tem Limón, Budget Chairs Gabriel and Laird, Subcommittee Chairs Addis and Menjivar, Governor Newsom, advocates, providers, and people living with HIV whose decades of leadership made this moment possible.”

This remarkable achievement comes as the nation marks the 45th anniversary of the first reported cases of HIV in the United States on June 5, 1981. The investment in the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) reflects decades of advocacy and continued efforts to secure critical resources for the more than 140,000 Californians living with HIV. With nearly 5,000 Californians newly diagnosed with HIV each year, sustained investment remains essential to expanding access to care, improving health outcomes, and supporting communities affected by HIV.

“California has once again proved it can accomplish historic progress even in the worst of times. Securing the largest one-time state investment in the fight to end HIV in the nation’s history is a perfect example of how California leads the nation in keeping all communities safe and supported,” said Senator Sabrina Cervantes (D–Riverside), Vice Chair of the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus. “I want to thank the Pro Tem, Speaker, and their respective Budget Chairs, as well as the Governor for being a champion for an HIV free future for all Californians."

Through close collaboration between the California Legislative LGBTQ+ Caucus and HIV service providers across the state, more than $500 million in funding will be secured through rebates generated by purchases of HIV medications and other prescription drugs through California’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). This innovative funding strategy maximizes revenue from pharmaceutical manufacturers to support critical health services without relying on General Fund resources.

“This budget makes a historic investment in a comprehensive response to HIV. It expands prevention and testing, strengthens treatment and supportive services, invests in housing and harm reduction, and gives local public health departments the resources they need to tailor programs to their communities. California continues to demonstrate that sustained investments in public health are how we improve health outcomes and move closer to ending the HIV epidemic,” said Senator John Laird (D–Santa Cruz), Chair of the Senate Committee on Budget and Fiscal Review.

The HIV-Free Future Plan strategically invests these funds in a range of proven HIV prevention, care, and support services, including assistance with accessing PrEP and PEP, condom distribution, HIV testing in emergency departments, housing services for people living with HIV who are experiencing homelessness, and aging services tailored to older adults living with HIV. To ensure these investments are effective and responsive to local needs, hundreds of millions of dollars will be distributed to public health departments in both urban and rural communities throughout California. Local jurisdictions will determine how best to allocate resources within their communities, informed by advisory groups that include individuals directly impacted by HIV.

Since the Trump administration, federal HIV funding and programs have experienced significant reductions. Most notably, the federal administration has eliminated approximately $600 million in funding for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) grants that support HIV prevention and surveillance efforts, threatening public health programs in California and across the country. Alongside, the U.S. House of Representatives have proposed cuts to HIV care funding and reductions earlier this month. Despite these federal challenges, our leaders in Sacramento remain our leaders dedicated than ever to achieving zero new HIV diagnoses and ensuring that no Californian is left behind in accessing critical HIV support and resources. 

“Despite the various attempts from the federal government to reduce funding from our LGBTQ+ community, through the HIV-Free Future Plan we have pushed for preventive care by maintaining availability to essential services, including investing $8.5 million in the CBO Condom Distribution Project. This investment is more than a budget line item, it is a commitment to public health and equity. Protecting these healthcare services is a promise to every Californian who is living with HIV, at risk of HIV, or seeking preventive care,” said Senator Caroline Menjivar (D–San Fernando Valley), Chair of the Senate Budget Subcommittee #3 on Health and Human Services.  

Furthermore, the HIV Free-Future Plan addresses a range of sexually transmitted infections (STIs), viral hepatitis, and drug overdose issues beyond the HIV sphere, creating a stronger and more effective response to these interconnected epidemics. Recognizing that HIV, STIs, hepatitis, and overdose share common causes and disproportionately affect similar populations, the plan takes a comprehensive public health approach. As the Trump administration actively ignores and undermines evidence-based public health practices, California leaders continue to follow the science and deliver measurable results, including recently announced double-digit declines in STI diagnoses. The Legislature’s plan will continue investing in research-backed strategies proven to combat HIV and other infectious diseases, including innovative tools such as doxyPEP and home test kits.

What HIV Advocates Are Saying:

"Federal attacks on our nation's safety net are pushing people out of care and putting lives at risk, and Californians with HIV cannot wait. The proposed 5-year investment in HIV prevention and care services would provide a vital lifeline for our most vulnerable communities, protecting the critical programs that Ryan White cuts now threaten to dismantle," said Craig E. Thompson, CEO of APLA Health. "We commend the Legislative LGBTQ Caucus for championing this plan alongside community advocates, and we call on the Governor to make it law in the final state budget. California has always led on this issue — now is the time to follow through.”

"We at San Francisco AIDS Foundation are thrilled that the Legislature is leveraging California's previously under-utilized ADAP rebate funds to make a real impact on the Golden State's HIV epidemic," said Jonathan Frochtzwajg, San Francisco AIDS Foundation's Director of Health Justice Policy. "We thank lawmakers, and especially LGBTQ Caucus members, for their leadership and collaboration in advancing this once-in-a-generation investment in our state's efforts to eradicate HIV."

“For more than four decades, the HIV epidemic has tested our communities, challenged our resolve, and inspired extraordinary courage. Today, California honors that legacy by making the largest one-time state investment in the fight against HIV in our nation's history. As federal support continues to erode, California is choosing hope over fear, science over politics, and action over indifference. This investment will strengthen prevention, expand treatment, stabilize housing, and help ensure every Californian living with or at risk of HIV can access the care they deserve. The Los Angeles LGBT Center is proud to stand alongside the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, Governor Newsom, our legislative leaders, and advocates across the state in celebrating this historic milestone and continuing the work until ending the HIV epidemic becomes a reality," said Robert Gamboa, Associate Director of Public Policy, Los Angeles LGBT Center.

“For decades, California has led the nation in the fight against HIV, and this historic investment ensures we don’t lose the ground we’ve fought so hard to gain. We know what works: investing in prevention, treatment, and community-based care. As the federal government retreats from evidence-based public health, California is moving forward — protecting lives, strengthening our communities, and bringing us closer to ending the HIV epidemic for good,” said Tony Hoang, Executive Director of Equality California. 

For a full list of programs and services and their funding levels in the HIV Free Future Plan, please reach out to [email protected] and [email protected] 

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About the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus

California’s Legislative LGBTQ Caucus was formed in 2002 to create a forum for California Legislators to discuss issues that affect LGBTQ Californians and to further the goal of equality and justice for all Californians. California became the first state in the United States to officially form a caucus of openly-LBGTQ state legislators and continues to be a leader of progress for all Americans. In 2025, our membership hit a new milestone of 14 members, maintaining its position as one of the largest LGBTQ Caucus in the Nation, and continues to remain strong. Despite tremendous progress and an unprecedented swell of support for the LGBTQ community worldwide, there is still much work to do to protect and uplift the most vulnerable in our community. The LGBTQ Caucus strives to advocate for diversity and inclusion of all people, including differently abled bodies. Our Caucus is working diligently to support LGBTQ leaders that represent our community at the local, state, and federal levels.

For more information on the California Legislative LGBTQ Caucus, please visit https://lgbtqcaucus.legislature.ca.gov/