Trump Administration Cuts $600 Million in HIV Funding for California

The cuts will impact critical disease monitoring and prevention programs, leaving communities vulnerable to undetected HIV spread.

Published on Feb. 10, 2026

Got story updates? Submit your updates here. ›

The Trump administration announced $600 million in funding cuts to HIV prevention programs and healthcare grants, primarily targeting California. The cuts will derail key disease monitoring and prevention efforts in the state, including the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Project, which is a 'critical' tool for detecting emerging HIV trends and preventing outbreaks. The administration claims the programs it targeted 'promote DEI and radical gender ideology', but public health experts warn the cuts are 'dangerous' and 'shortsighted', arguing they will undermine decades of progress in addressing the HIV epidemic.

Why it matters

These funding cuts will significantly impact California's ability to monitor and respond to HIV outbreaks, leaving vulnerable communities at risk. The National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Project is a key early warning system that helps public health officials detect emerging HIV trends and prevent the spread of the virus. Without this program, experts warn the state will be 'flying blind' on HIV, hindering efforts to connect people to care and stop transmission.

The details

The grant terminations will affect funding for a number of disease control programs in California, Colorado, Illinois and Minnesota, but the vast majority target California. The move will derail $1.1 million slated for the Los Angeles County Department of Public Health's National HIV Behavioral Surveillance Project, a critical tool used to detect emerging HIV trends, prevent outbreaks before they spread, and reduce HIV incidence. Several local front-line service providers, including the Los Angeles LGBT Center, are also set to lose hundreds of thousands in funding for community HIV prevention programs.

  • The Trump administration announced the $600 million in funding cuts on February 10, 2026.

The players

Trump Administration

The current presidential administration led by President Donald Trump.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC)

The leading national public health institute in the United States.

Los Angeles County Department of Public Health

The public health department for Los Angeles County, California.

Los Angeles LGBT Center

A prominent LGBTQ+ community center in Los Angeles that provides HIV prevention and other health services.

Got photos? Submit your photos here. ›

What they’re saying

“These cuts will hurt vital efforts to prevent the spread of disease. It's dangerous, and it's deliberate.”

— Sen. Adam Schiff, U.S. Senator from California (latimes.com)

“Without this program, we're flying blind. The first step in addressing any public health threat is understanding what's happening on the ground. With HIV in particular, people often have no symptoms for years and can unknowingly spread the virus.”

— Dr. Paul Simon, Epidemiologist, UCLA Fielding School (latimes.com)

“These decisions are not guided by public health evidence, but by politics — and the consequences are real. Any reduction in funding directly affects our ability to provide care, prevention and lifesaving services to the people who rely on us.”

— Brian De Los Santos, Spokesperson, Los Angeles LGBT Center (latimes.com)

What’s next

The LGBT Center has said it is ready to bring more litigation against the Trump administration if necessary in order to protect its community and the funding for its HIV prevention programs.

The takeaway

These funding cuts to critical HIV monitoring and prevention programs in California represent a dangerous and shortsighted political move that will undermine decades of progress in addressing the HIV epidemic. Public health experts warn the cuts will leave vulnerable communities at risk of undetected disease spread, highlighting the need for evidence-based, non-partisan approaches to public health challenges.