A global HIV/AIDS program that saved millions of lives faces cuts under the Trump administration

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering a dramatic cutback and eventual phasing out of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. program to combat HIV/AIDS in developing countries that has been widely credited with saving 26 million lives since its inception in 2003, according to multiple congressional and administration officials

WASHINGTON — The Trump administration is considering a dramatic cutback and eventual phasing out of the President’s Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), the U.S. program to combat HIV/AIDS in developing countries that has been widely credited with saving 26 million lives since its inception in 2003, according to multiple congressional and administration officials.

Created during the George W. Bush administration, PEPFAR was launched with star-power support from U2 frontman and advocate for developing countries, Bono, as well as the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation and the World Bank. In the two decades since, it enjoyed strong bipartisan support in Congress.

But as the Trump administration has sought to cut costs across the U.S. government, particularly for global aid programs, PEPFAR has come up on the chopping block. The administration initially proposed a cut of $400 million from next year’s budget, but that funding was restored at the last minute by the Republican-led Senate last week, keeping it going in the short term.

Four congressional aides told NBC News that the program was virtually frozen, along with most funding for USAID, in early February. Contracts with providers were put on hold and funding was reduced to what they called a “trickle.” They said that most promised State Department waivers for critical care did not materialize, and that 51% of current PEPFAR appropriations were either terminated or were not functional.

“They’re sitting on the money,” congressional officials said. “We’re not seeing it in the field.”