While the top-line budget has been released by President Donald Trump’s administration, questions remain around how various foreign aid programs will fare. The budget stated that it “provides sufficient resources to maintain current commitments and all current patient levels on HIV/AIDS treatment under the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief,” but what exactly that means for funding levels is still up in the air.
There are uncertainties about how funding and the reinstated “global gag rule,” could affect PEPFAR, which gets the majority of U.S. global health funding, and broader global health challenges.
From the few data points available so far, there are already things PEPFAR implementers should know now as they prepare. Crucially, the agency will rely on the U.S. Agency for International Development’s expertise, and most of PEPFAR’s programs are already in compliance.