New York City

“Community health centers have been key partners in the fight against HIV and AIDS and continue to be at the front lines in insuring access to critical HIV prevention tools, like PEP and PrEP. The evidence is there – that access to PEP/PrEP and focus on viral load suppression for those living with HIV/AIDS can create the path to our ultimate goal – ending the epidemic. We at Community Healthcare Network look forward to continuing our crucial partnerships with the City and community-based providers around the city to achieve the best outcomes for the patients and communities we serve.”

“The beauty and power of our efforts to end the HIV epidemic locally come from the fact that these efforts have been true partnerships between community and government, administrative and elected. Our community’s urgency and vision are propelled by the Mayor’s commitment, the City Council’s will, and the New York City Department of Health and Mental Hygiene’s focused implementation. It doesn’t stop there, though. We have to keep thinking big and keep pushing if we want to truly realize this vision. I believe we’ll get there if the collaboration stays strong.”

“Through collaboration between public and private organizations, we have made great progress on HIV diagnosis, prevention, and treatment. At OraSure, we believe that knowledge is power – and everyone should have equal access to the power that an HIV test can provide. We applaud New York’s efforts to end the HIV epidemic.”

“New York has taken great steps towards reducing the risk of HIV, but it's important that we not become complacent and continue pushing to end the AIDS crisis once and for all. We do this by understanding that the root causes of HIV for communities like mine – for transgender folks, for sex workers – go far beyond the walls of the health clinic. Decriminalizing and destigmatizing sex work is a critical step towards ending this crisis. Ending cash bail allows people to not face needless interruptions to their treatment plan. Developing a more comprehensive plan to expand gender-affirming care within Medicaid helps to reach communities bearing some of the heaviest burdens of this crisis. We must continue to move forward, not back, and to think expansively about how we can transform this crisis.”

“As we move into the second decade of New York City’s commitment to end the HIV epidemic, we’ve made significant progress in harm reduction, housing, reducing new infections, and increasing access to HIV treatment and prevention. However, as the COVID-19 pandemic has rudely reminded us, we must reinvigorate our efforts to work with all of New York City’s diverse communities to really end HIV as an epidemic in this decade, with new and growing investments in community-based prevention, care, treatment, and support services specifically working with and in those communities most significantly affected, including young gay men of color, Black women, and people of transgender identity. They need to be raised to the center and the leadership of our collective efforts, and given the resources and the support to succeed.”