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Commissioner warns proposed federal cuts would eliminate key CDC HIV funding and parts of Ryan White program
Summary
Commissioner Samuel Burgess told the Louisiana Commission on HIV and Hepatitis C on Sept. 9 that a House appropriations markup would eliminate CDC HIV-related funding and Ryan White Parts C, D and F, which he said would strip roughly $15 million in federal prevention support from the state.
Baton Rouge — Commissioner Samuel Burgess told the Louisiana Commission on HIV and Hepatitis C Education, Prevention and Treatment on Sept. 9 that a House Appropriations markup would, if enacted, eliminate Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) HIV-related funding and Ryan White Program Parts C, D and F, threatening state prevention and clinical programs.
Burgess, a commissioner on the panel, said the House committee’s fiscal year 2026 markup largely tracked the president’s budget request and would cut CDC HIV prevention funds and eliminate Ryan White Parts C, D and F. He said those cuts would remove roughly $15 million annually that comes to the State Health Department for prevention work in Louisiana. “This would be a devastating cut if that happens,” he said.
Why it matters: CDC HIV prevention grants and Ryan White programs fund testing, clinical care, training and community-based prevention across Louisiana. Burgess said those grants support both state health-department activities and community-based organizations that carry out prevention and provider training.
What was said: Burgess told commissioners that the House markup would eliminate Parts C (clinical services), D (women and children) and F (training and technical assistance) while leaving Parts A and B level-funded. He added the Senate proposal maintained level funding, producing a conflict between House and Senate versions as Congress continues appropriations action. “We rely completely on federal funding for our HIV prevention efforts,” Burgess said.
Discussion, not decision: The commission heard Burgess’s briefing as information; no formal vote or action was taken by the commission on the federal budget during the meeting. Burgess urged commissioners to monitor House action and reported that the House Appropriations Committee might consider the markup imminently.
Local implications and next steps: Burgess asked the commission and audience to pay attention to congressional action over the coming days and weeks. Commissioners did not vote or adopt a resolution at the Sept. 9 meeting; the commission’s lack of quorum was recorded earlier in the session and prevented formal actions.
Context: Burgess said the proposed cuts would affect funding streams used for prevention, testing and training statewide. He contrasted the House markup with the Senate proposal, which he said maintained level funding. He urged reporting of any denials or coverage barriers to state Medicaid officials and noted the federal appropriations process remained unsettled.
Ending: Commissioners did not take formal action at the meeting; Burgess’s remarks were provided as an informational briefing to the commission. The commission’s next meeting is scheduled for Nov. 18, when members said they hope to have quorum to consider formal business.
