Written by Terri L Wilder, Manager of Health and Economic Security Policy at SAGE, and Madeleine Hammerlund, MN HIV Housing Systems Advocate at Clare Housing
The World AIDS Day 2025 theme, “Overcoming disruption, transforming the AIDS response,” highlights how funding cuts and other challenges are slowing progress against HIV.
Through decades of local and national activism and advocacy, federal HIV investments have strengthened the dignity, opportunities, and long-lives of people living with HIV and communities most vulnerable to HIV.
However, the 2026 US Federal Budget proposes cuts to a wide swath of lifesaving HIV prevention and care programs.
Budget cuts will impact HIV prevention programs at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC). Parts of the Ryan White Program will also be impacted, including Part F programs. Part F programs provide training for health care providers on HIV care best practices, the Minority AIDS Initiative, and ensure dental care for Ryan White clients, to name a few.
These services and programs are essential to people living with and vulnerable to HIV everywhere. They help build a future in which there are no new HIV transmissions and all people, regardless of HIV status, have the resources they need to live healthy and hopeful lives.
That’s why SAGE and Clare Housing partnered up to take action and elevate the voices of those most impacted by federal HIV funding cuts. As active members of the #SaveHIVFunding campaign, Clare Housing and SAGE supported the creation of two heartfelt and timely quilt panels designed by Clare Housing residents as a part of the #CutsKill Digital Quilt.
The #CutsKill Digital Quilt is inspired by the legacy of the AIDS Memorial Quilt of the 1980’s, which is still considered one of the largest community art projects in history.
The first panel reads “Silence=Death,” a historic AIDS activism message that silence costs lives, calling on communities and leaders to take action — because too many have already been lost to the HIV epidemic.
The second panel amplifies the voices of those directly impacted by HIV and housing insecurity in Minnesota. It features the urgent message “SAVE HIV FUNDS” in large white letters, surrounded by vibrant handprints, awareness ribbons, and symbols of love and resilience. The panel also reads “MINNESOTA SPEAKS UP!” which reinforces the collective demand for continued support and visibility. Each handprint represents a personal story—a resident, an advocate, a caregiver—joining together to protect critical HIV services and funding. This quilt invites viewers to respond to the message, to act, and to work in solidarity with those whose lives depend on sustained HIV funding.
We invite you to be a part of the campaign and raise up your voice against the HIV funding cuts. Congress is working to finalize Fiscal Year 2026 spending by January 30, 2026. Please help ensure access to critical and affordable HIV care and prevention by urging Congress to pass a bipartisan spending bill that protects and funds HIV programs, and provisions to extend enhanced premium tax credits and reverse Medicaid cuts.
ACT NOW by calling your two Senators and your Representative. For more information, go to: https://savehivfunding.org/world-aids-day-action-alert/
You can also contribute by making a community quilt panel today! Add your panel to the #CutsKill Digital Quilt and be a part of a national movement.
OUR stories and our communities matter. Honor World AIDS Day by joining us to protect these critical resources! ACT UP, FIGHT AIDS!
