Norfolk, VA — LGBT Life Center and Minority AIDS Support Services (MASS) express deep concern and strong opposition to the Virginia Department of Health’s (VDH) recent decision to significantly reduce Ryan White Part B (RWB) funding and eliminate critical rebate grants. These abrupt actions jeopardize essential services for individuals living with HIV across the Commonwealth and undermine decades of progress in combating the HIV epidemic.
The Ryan White Part B program, including the associated “rebate” grant funding, serves as a vital safety net, supporting medical care coordination, housing, and transportation. Recent funding cuts—reportedly up to 47% for some organizations—are dismantling that safety net, removing direct care and eliminating access for people who need it most.
MASS, a community-based HIV organization serving Eastern Virginia, lost more than $550,000 in annual funding as a result of these cuts. At LGBT Life Center, the impact has also been significant, with over $200,000 in RWB funding lost, on top of $400,000 in prevention funding eliminated by VDH in 2024. These deep and repeated cuts threaten the Center’s ability to provide comprehensive HIV care, prevention, and retention services to the Hampton Roads region.
This funding loss comes at an especially dangerous time. The eastern region of Virginia—including Hampton Roads—has some of the highest rates of HIV and STIs in the state. With the previous cuts to prevention and testing services in a region already facing a disproportionate impact, it is not only reckless—it is dangerous. The consequences will be felt immediately by our clients and in the long term by our entire public health system.
Among the services lost:
- Medical care for uninsured individuals living with HIV, previously supported by RWB funds, allowing the Center to quickly link newly diagnosed clients to same-day in-house care.
- The infrastructure to meet Virginia’s own rapid-start standards for HIV care, a critical component in improving individual health outcomes and preventing transmission.
- Medical case management staffing, which helps newly diagnosed individuals secure and maintain health insurance coverage and remain in long-term treatment, a vital component to viral suppression and health.
In just the past four weeks, LGBT Life Center has identified five new HIV cases, including three uninsured clients who required immediate linkage to care. MASS identified three new HIV-diagnosed individuals and one person living with HIV return to care in the same time frame. Without adequate funding, these individuals now face delays in receiving treatment—delays that can worsen health outcomes and risk further transmission.
“These cuts are not just numbers on a spreadsheet; they represent real people—our neighbors, friends, and family members—who will suffer as a result,” said Stacie Walls, CEO of LGBT Life Center. “We are watching proven, lifesaving programs that we have built over the last 25 years be defunded with no plan to replace them, and we are deeply concerned for what this means for the future of HIV care in Virginia.”
The Trump administration’s proposed federal budget cuts to HIV programs—including the Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) initiative—further compound the harm. Together, these state and federal decisions represent a dangerous rollback of HIV & LGBTQ+ health protections and public health investments.
LGBT Life Center and MASS urge VDH and state policymakers to reverse course and work with community-based organizations to restore sustainable, science-based funding for HIV prevention and care. The organizations also urge the City of Norfolk’s Ryan White Part A program to shift its underutilized funding to help fill the gap created by the state.
For more information or to schedule an interview, please contact:
Corey Mohr
Director of Communications
LGBT Life Center
Corey@lgbtlifecenter.org
716-474-7229
About LGBT Life Center
LGBT Life Center is a nonprofit organization dedicated to serving the LGBTQ+ community and individuals affected by HIV in Hampton Roads, Virginia. Through comprehensive programs and services, the Center works to empower individuals, prevent the spread of HIV, and advocate for equality and inclusion.
About MASS (Minority AIDS Support Services)
MASS is a nonprofit organization serving Eastern Virginia with a mission to improve the health and quality of life for individuals affected by HIV/AIDS. MASS provides culturally competent prevention, care, and support services, working to address health disparities in minority and underserved communities. Learn more at minorityaidssupport.org.
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