Trump Ends Terms of Remaining Members of H.I.V. and AIDS Council

The HIV & AIDS Council was established in 1995 under the Clinton presidency to advise on matters concerning the viral illness which, at the time, was not yet as manageable with drugs as it is now. Today, there are hundreds of thousands of Americans living with HIV, and thousands who have yet to discover their HIV positive status. Efforts by the council in recent years have been focusing on a plan to make HIV testing universal in the U.S. as well as increasing access to anti-retroviral drugs for those who need them.

On Dec 30, 2017 current President Trump dismissed the remaining 6 members of the HIV and AIDS council. Prior to this dismissal, a number of council members had resigned in protest. They cited inaction, lack of an action plan, and withdrawal of funding for existing programs as reasons for their departure.

Removal and replacement of council members are typical after the change of a presidency. In the beginning of the 2008 Obama term, Obama ended the terms of Bush's previous council and replaced them with his own appointments. The white house has made it clear that members are welcome to reapply in 2018.

Trump Ends Terms of Remaining Members of H.I.V. and AIDS Council

~Scarlett