If it looks like a bribe and acts like a bribe... AARP disclosures show a $9 BILLION one-time payment from #UHC at the same time the insurer is under criminal investigation over #Medicare fraud. www.thecentersquare.com/national/art...

On National Latinx AIDS Awareness Day, we join the call to "Start Treatment. Stick to It. Get Better." We advocate for culturally competent HIV care addressing language barriers and stigma in Hispanic/Latinx communities. Treatment adherence saves lives. #HIVAdvocacy #HealthEquity

26% of people living with HIV have experienced intimate partner violence, w/ 36% lower odds of viral suppression. Our analysis examines how DOJ grant cuts dismantle survivor services during Domestic Violence Awareness Month. #HIV #DomesticViolence #HealthEquity www.hiv-hcv-watch.com/blog/oct-13-...

People with HIV could pay $1,699+ more per year for health coverage when enhanced tax credits expire. ADAPs would face tens of millions in added costs. This threatens access to life-saving care. @KFF: #HIV #Shutdown #ACA buff.ly/gmvuhiK

STI rates dropped 9% in 2024: chlamydia down 8%, gonorrhea down 10%, syphilis down 22%. This is proof public health interventions work. But congenital syphilis rose 2% to nearly 4,000 cases. 88% were preventable with testing and treatment. 1/5

Government shutdown halts CDC disease surveillance, community health center funding at risk, and 40% of HHS workforce furloughed. People living with HIV depend on these services. #HealthcareAccess #GovernmentShutdown buff.ly/vemkTPW

Trump admin launching AI pilot to approve/deny Medicare treatments in 6 states. Concerns about transparency and how algorithms assess high-cost care—which includes HIV medications many people living with HIV depend on. #Medicare #HIV #HealthcareAccess

New @KFF analysis: Only 7% of Medicaid expansion enrollees—1.4 million people—live in counties that may qualify for work requirement hardship exceptions. States must request this relief, and 17 states have no qualifying counties. #Medicaid #HealthcareAccess buff.ly/qaiFM8q

European patients wait up to 989 days for approved treatments while only 29% of new medicines are fully available through EU reimbursement - down from 42% five years ago. Our analysis shows what #MFN pricing could mean for America. #DrugPricing #PatientAccess

Today on National Gay Men's HIV/AIDS Awareness Day, we recognize that gay and bisexual men represented 67% of new US HIV diagnoses in 2022. We need increased testing, prevention resources, and treatment access while addressing stigma and discrimination. #HIVAdvocacy #HealthEquity

Thank you @AsmMarkGonzalez for standing up for the #HIV community through #AB554. Now, @CAGovernor has to follow through. Read more in @LosAngelesBlade from our very own Kalvin Pugh >> buff.ly/XfZ5Xut

Last week we published analysis showing how hospitals exploit the #340B program for billions while reducing charity care. Now the @WSJ Editorial Board confirms: "Rich hospitals have been gaming a discount drug program for the poor." buff.ly/X4VNyUU (1/4)

Congress faces Sept 30 #shutdown deadline just as Americans discover 75% premium increases during November open enrollment. For people living with #HIV who rely on #ACA plans but earn too much for Ryan White, this creates impossible choices between treatment and financial survival. 1/4

BREAKING: CDC strongly recommends injectable lenacapavir as new PrEP option - administered every 6 months with 96-100% efficacy in trials. This breakthrough could transform HIV prevention adherence. Now we need ALL health plans to cover it - looking at you, CVSHealth Caremark. #PrEP #HIVPrevention

Major health insurers pledge to continue covering all vaccines recommended by ACIP as of Sept. 1, 2025, through end of 2026 - regardless of changes by Kennedy's newly appointed panel. Coverage affects 200M Americans as restructured ACIP meets this week. #VaccineAccess buff.ly/GV2Ui5y

Today is National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day, focusing on the increasing number of older adults with HIV. Over half of HIV-positive individuals in the US are 50+, and 16% of new 2023 diagnoses are in this age group. It also acknowledges 13,000 aging perinatally-infected survivors. #HIV #Aging

California's #AB144 includes provisions that divert critical funding from the HIV community. @CAGovernor, these are targeted dollars that cannot – and SHOULD NOT – be diverted for other purposes. Read more from CANN's President & CEO >> buff.ly/4wmxmdU #CALeg #ADAP

THREAD: New @JAMAInternalMed study quantifies the devastating cost of cutting HIV prevention funding—validating warnings we've been raising about the coming crisis in HIV care. The numbers are staggering. 1/8 buff.ly/qNGLKAw

CANN BLOG: CBO confirms: 340B became a $44 billion hospital exploitation scheme. Program expanded 565% since 2010, with two-thirds of growth from hospital gaming, not drug costs. Hospitals reduce charity care while using 340B profits for anti-competitive acquisitions. #340B

Louisiana sees 6x increase in whooping cough cases in 2024, with 2 infant deaths in April. Sen. Cassidy urges HHS Secretary Kennedy to publicly support DTaP vaccine. 75% of those hospitalized were unvaccinated or not up to date on vaccinations. #PublicHealth thehill.com/policy/healt...

Northwestern study discovers connection between HIV and Alzheimer's disease. HIV-1 replication disrupted by C99 protein fragment, with virus promoting C99 breakdown that increases toxic amyloids harmful to brain cells. Provides insights into neurocognitive disorders. #HIV #Alzheimers

The #340BACCESSAct puts patients in the driver’s seat for the first time since the program was established in 1992. Thank you @RepBuddyCarter & @RepHarshbarger for helping make #340B a true safety-net for patients. Read more >> buff.ly/nAVmlmy

Study: 94.2% of people living with HIV and diabetes were overdue for at least one diabetes screening metric, with eye exams most commonly missed. Research emphasizes need for comprehensive primary care models as people with HIV live longer with chronic comorbidities. #HIV #Diabetes

29th annual US Conference on HIV/AIDS draws 2,400 participants amid funding concerns. Conference focused on aging HIV population with 54% of 1.1 million Americans living with HIV now 50+. Speakers addressed impact of proposed federal cuts on HIV programs serving 500,000+ Americans.

Major Lancet study of 82,723 mother-infant pairs confirms zero HIV transmission risk during pregnancy with viral suppression, validating U=U for pregnancy but not breastfeeding. Mothers with suppressed viral loads during breastfeeding faced 0.1% monthly transmission risk. #HIV

Study of 43 million blood donations shows reducing deferral period from 12 to 3 months for high-risk behaviors maintained blood safety. HIV incidence in donated blood actually decreased from 1.2 to 0.8 per hundred thousand person-years during 2017-2023 period. #BloodSafety #HIV

Today’s report by @USCBO proves what we’ve known all along: the 340B program needs real oversight and accountability. @HouseGOP @HouseDemocrats please consider policies that will ensure the program truly works for vulnerable patients, as intended. www.cbo.gov/system/files...

US commits to purchasing 2M doses of twice-yearly HIV prevention drug lenacapavir for global distribution through PEPFAR by 2028. Purchase addresses distribution concerns after foreign aid cuts, with priority for pregnant and breastfeeding women in low-income countries. #HIV #PrEP

The HHS Make America Healthy Again report outlining plans to investigate "vaccine injuries," study vaccine-autism links, and eliminate drug safety regulations. Report institutionalizes vaccine skepticism that threatens herd immunity protecting immunocompromised #PublicHealth #MAHA buff.ly/okc9r2X

Employers face highest health benefit cost increases in 15 years with 6.5% rise projected for 2026. Survey shows 59% will make cost-cutting changes, potentially increasing employee out-of-pocket expenses by 6-7% on average. Two-thirds prioritize behavioral healthcare access. buff.ly/abHfQi9

Eleven GOP lawmakers endorse extending #ACA tax credits as pressure mounts to prevent subsidies benefiting 22 million Americans from expiring end of 2025. CBO projects over 4 million will lose insurance by 2034 without renewal. Median premiums set to increase 18% without subsidies. buff.ly/PZ5w6gb

The strategic dismantling of CDC's scientific leadership under RFK Jr. jeopardizes years of disease prevention. Director Monarez's dismissal for rejecting non-scientific mandates, along with a 20% staff reduction, shows ideology over evidence. Ex-CDC leaders from both parties label it unprecedented.

Massachusetts requires insurers to cover state-recommended vaccines regardless of federal guidance, while New York authorizes pharmacists to provide COVID vaccines without prescriptions. States create workarounds as federal vaccine policy becomes politicized. buff.ly/df6zEQ5 buff.ly/pvPmett

Massachusetts requires insurers to cover state-recommended vaccines regardless of federal guidance, while New York authorizes pharmacists to provide COVID vaccines without prescriptions. States create workarounds as federal vaccine policy becomes politicized. buff.ly/df6zEQ5 buff.ly/pvPmett

Latest JAMA clinical insights: 2.6 million Americans used methamphetamine in 2023, with increased HIV/hepatitis risks. Comprehensive care includes harm reduction, STI screening, PrEP consideration, evidence-based treatments like contingency management. #HarmReduction #SubstanceUse buff.ly/D8LyOaI

JAMA analysis: "One Big Beautiful Bill Act" #Medicaid cuts will devastate rural healthcare serving vulnerable populations. Nearly 2 million rural residents lose coverage while 400+ hospitals face closure risk. Eliminates HIV care access in medically underserved areas. #RuralHealth

West Coast governors form health alliance as response to CDC politicization under RFK Jr. Washington, Oregon, California will coordinate vaccine recommendations based on medical organizations rather than federal guidance. Eight Northeast states planning similar coordination. buff.ly/8mhysM9

Trump plans up to 200% tariffs on imported meds, threatening drug shortages and higher prices. Generics represent 92% of prescriptions but have thin margins - many manufacturers may exit U.S. market. Could increase drug prices 10-14% despite promises to lower costs. #DrugPricing buff.ly/LZ1j7mA

Trump administration settles lawsuit, agrees to restore CDC and NIH websites including HIV care datasets and youth health surveillance systems. Court victory forces restoration of evidence-based health information after months of ideological suppression. #PublicHealth #HealthData buff.ly/6pHSEIl

CVS Caremark hit with $289M judgment for pressuring insurers to upcode Medicare claims, defrauding federal programs. Same company recently refused coverage of HIV prevention drug Yeztugo. Pattern shows PBM prioritizing profits while creating medication access barriers. #PBMFraud buff.ly/oMuGYAp

Florida plans to eliminate all vaccine mandates for schoolchildren, including hepatitis B requirements. Move threatens immunocompromised people living with HIV who rely on community immunity for protection. Surgeon General calls mandates "slavery." #PublicHealth #HealthEquity tinyurl.com/yuxy9xzp

Trump revoked Biden's healthcare competition order, creating enforcement vacuum as UnitedHealth completed $3.3B Amedisys acquisition 1 day later. Federal retreat on consolidation threatens access for people living with #HIV while states scramble to fill gaps. #Antitrust #HealthPolicy

Study finds dolutegravir/abacavir/lamivudine HIV therapy linked to increases in BMI, BP, and cholesterol compared to efavirenz-based regimen over 96 weeks. Both achieved high viral suppression rates. Clinicians should monitor cardiovascular risk factors. #HIV #HIVTreatment

Study in Scientific Reports compares machine learning vs traditional models for predicting HIV survival outcomes. Random Forest algorithm achieved highest accuracy (91.2% AUC). Key predictors: diagnosis age, treatment status, CD4 levels. #HIV #HIVResearch #MachineLearning

The UK's NHS HCV home testing identifies 225 cases from 100,000+ requests, reaching 70% in deprived communities. US lacks similar coordinated screening despite high cure rates. Free universal testing could address gaps in American harm reduction and healthcare access. #HepC #HCV

From "threatened with extinction" to global HIV leader: Botswana slashed mother-to-child HIV transmission from up to 40% to 1.2% through universal testing, ARV therapy, and innovative public health programs. Now testing cure strategies in children treated from birth. #HIV

Both the fired director and the resigned chief medical officer represent decades of public health expertise. Losing institutional knowledge during a time when evidence-based policy is under attack threatens the health of the entire country, especially for PLWH and other vulnerable populations.

According to WaPo, Susan Monarez wrote an op-ed about vaccine misinformation driving violence (re: the CDC shooting), but HHS returned it with "significant revisions" that stripped away "her voice." This mirrors patterns of suppressing comms that we've seen with HIV research and clinical guidelines.

Kennedy's purged ACIP will vote in mid-September on vaccines including hepatitis B and RSV - both critical for immunocompromised people living with HIV. The new members have histories of criticizing vaccine policy, raising concerns about scientifically sound recommendations.

RFK Jr. has specifically criticized hepatitis B vaccine for infants, calling it a vaccine for "prostitutes" and "promiscuous gay men" - language that directly stigmatizes communities affected by HIV. This rhetoric undermines evidence-based prevention strategies that protect vulnerable populations.