Tennessee to reject federal funding through CDC to prevent HIV

On Jan. 17, the Tennessee Department of Health sent a letter to programs and organizations that receive grants from the state telling them that the state would stop taking federal funding to help pay for HIV surveillance, testing and prevention.

The letter said that the state would stop taking a grant through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention that provided federal funds so organizations across Tennessee could provide HIV-related services.

"These arrangements were made under prior administrations, and this administration is examing areas where it can decrease its reliance on federal funding and assume increased independence," the letter said. "The State has determined it is in the best interest of Tennesseans for the State to assume direct financial and managerial responsibility for these services."

They said the federal grant contracts that provided those funds would end of May 31, 2023. They said other state-funded initiatives to support HIV prevention and surveillance will be funded through the state's metro health departments, starting June 1, 2023.

"It's a slap in the face to all the progress that's been made over the last few decades," said Alec Lambert-Cunningham, a nurse. "Rejecting this funding is only going to have negative consequences and it is going to affect a very marginalized community in Tennesse, and it's very sad to see."

https://www.wbir.com/article/news/health/tennessee-department-of-health-says-governor-is-choosing-to-stop-federal-funding-for-hiv-prevention/51-f94b24a3-d939-460f-a109-a85dd24c9283

It's not like HIV only affects gay people, Gov. BillyBob.