Tucson HIV/AIDS Organizations Brace for Severe Funding Cuts as Trump Administration Slashes Support

Several Tucson organizations, including El Rio and the Southern Arizona AIDS Foundation (SAAF), are bracing for significant funding losses that will impact vital HIV/AIDS services following recent federal budget cuts.

On May 13, SAAF staff received alarming news via email: an immediate loss of $1.5 million from the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. This program, overseen by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, provides crucial funding for services supporting people living with HIV and AIDS.

Just days before the onset of Pride Month, SAAF was informed of an additional freeze of nearly $619,000 for HIV testing and prevention funds. This came the same day that the Trump administration cut a $258 million HIV vaccine research initiative, raising concerns among health advocates.

SAAF, renowned for offering clinical services, mental and behavioral health support, and housing to individuals affected by HIV, now anticipates severe program reductions. Chief Development Officer Lee Bucyk stated that without federal funding, essential housing and rental assistance programs for over 100 clients are at risk, along with cuts to food assistance and dental benefits statewide. The organization may also need to eliminate several staff positions as a result of the financial strain.

Interim CEO Beth Morrison described the funding cuts as “deeply unsettling.” She emphasized that while the situation presents a significant setback, SAAF remains committed to advocating for and supporting marginalized communities, including LGBTQ+ individuals and those living with HIV.

El Rio Community Health Center, Southern Arizona’s largest provider of HIV/AIDS treatment, also reported funding cuts. Management indicated that the reductions to their Ryan White funding could fundamentally alter their sliding scale treatment programs. Spokesperson Nathan Holaway confirmed the clinic is devising a contingency plan while striving to maintain care quality amid these daunting changes.

Arizona’s overall HIV/AIDS funding from the Ryan White program, which amounts to $25.8 million, has historically served a significant portion of those diagnosed nationally. The program boasts an impressive viral suppression rate of 90.6 percent among patients, markedly higher than the national average.

Other local Ryan White grantees, such as the University of Arizona and the Pima County Health Department, have not reported immediate impacts from funding cuts. However, the broader implications of these reductions are stirring concern among health advocates like Scott Blades, executive director of the Tucson Interfaith HIV/AIDS Network (TIHAN). He warns that reduced funding for prevention and testing could hinder progress made in combating HIV, putting vulnerable populations at increased risk.

Federal budget proposals for fiscal year 2026 indicate an $83 million decrease in Ryan White funding, alongside plans to eliminate crucial support mechanisms, including dental care and specific funds aimed at assisting people of color affected by HIV/AIDS. Government assessments of health programs suggest a push to streamline services considered duplicative, raising alarms about the potential impacts on public health.