The Trump administration’s temporary pause on U.S. foreign aid has thrown the future of a program that helped slow the global HIV/AIDS epidemic into doubt. The President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief, or PEPFAR, will not receive funds for at least 90 days as part of the pause.
Meanwhile, the Trump administration has instructed international organizations to stop distributing HIV medications bought with U.S. aid. It includes medications already in local clinics.
Former President George W. Bush established PEPFAR with support from both Republicans and Democrats in 2003.
The State Department estimated last month that the program has saved 26 million lives globally over the last two decades.
The New York Times reported that State Department memos last week said the pause could last up to 180 days. The Times reports PEPFAR officials received notice Monday that the program’s computers would be going offline that evening.
Dr. Jirair Ratevosian, the former chief of staff for PEPFAR under President Joe Biden, told the Times, “Any prolonged pause in funding could disrupt HIV treatment programs, leading to treatment interruptions, the rise of drug-resistant HIV. That’s playing with fire, risking progress that we’ve made over decades to control the HIV epidemic.”
PEPFAR had received successive five-year reauthorizations in Congress. However, in 2023, it was subject to a one-year renewal. Many congressional Republicans raised concerns that a Biden administration policy change could lead to the program funding abortion-related services.
Earlier this month, Republicans expressed outrage after the State Department confirmed that PEPFAR-funded healthcare providers in Mozambique provided 21 abortions since January 2021.
The Trump administration has not indicated that the current freeze is related.
It’s unclear whether Secretary of State Marco Rubio, who has previously supported the program, will allow it to continue as is, shut it down, or have it continue with a reversal of the Biden-era policy on abortion.