Support for the PrEP DC Amendment Act (B26-0159) - Letter of HIV Prevention Policy Support

Sep 27, 2026

February 20, 2026 letter urging the DC Council to pass the PrEP DC Amendment Act (B26-0159) without change on final reading. The signatories support evidence-based HIV prevention policy that ensures DC residents at risk can access the full range of PrEP options without cost-sharing or prior authorization, including newer long-acting regimens. They argue coverage of all PrEP drugs improves uptake and adherence, reduces new HIV cases, and provides certainty amid recent federal attacks on preventive health requirements. The letter requests swift final passage and implementation.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryHealthcare

FormatPDF

Pages2

Reading Time5 min

AccessFree to download

PrEP DC Amendment Act support

Request for final passage without change

Coverage of all PrEP drugs and access to options

Importance amid federal preventive health challenges

Contact and signatories

February 20, 2026 Re: Support for the PrEP DC Amendment Act (B26-0159) Dear Chairman Mendelson: We, the undersigned HIV service providers, advocates, and public health organizations in the District of Columbia, write in strong support of the PrEP DC Amendment Act (B26-0159) and urge the Council to pass the bill without change on its final reading. We thank Councilmembers Zachary Parker and Christina Henderson for their leadership in advancing strong, evidence-based HIV prevention policy. The bill ensures that DC residents vulnerable to HIV can access the full range of PrEP options without cost-sharing or prior authorization, including newer long-acting regimens that may better meet the needs of many individuals. Requiring coverage of all PrEP drugs is essential to increasing uptake, supporting adherence, and reducing new HIV cases in the District. Allowing individuals and their providers to choose the PrEP option that works best for them reflects current best practices in HIV prevention and is consistent with current federal protections. This legislation is particularly important at a time when federal preventive health requirements have recently come under attack. By codifying comprehensive PrEP coverage standards in District law, the Council is protecting DC residents from future federal changes and providing certainty for patients, providers, and public health programs. For these reasons, we strongly urge the Council to pass the PrEP DC Amendment Act as approved on first reading and to move swiftly toward final passage and implementation. This bill represents a critical step forward in the District’s efforts to end the HIV epidemic. If you have any questions, please contact DeMarc Hickson, Executive Director, US Helping Us, at[dhickson@uhupil.org](dhickson@uhupil.org); or Carl Schmid, Executive Director, HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute, at[cschmid@hivhep.org](cschmid@hivhep.org). Sincerely, Advocates for Youth AIDS Action Baltimore AIDS Alabama AIDS United Association of Nurses in AIDS Care Black Women’s Health Imperative Children’s National Hospital Coai, Inc. Equality California Family and Medical Counseling Service, Inc. GLMA HealthHIV HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute Housing Works Howard University League of United Latin American Citizens (LULAC) MISTR NASTAD National Coalition for LGBTQ Health National Coalition of STD Directors National Hispanic Medical Association (NHMA) National Organization for Women NBJCNMAC SAGE The AIDS Institute The Global Trans Equity Project The Women’s Collective Treatment Action Group Us Helping Us cc: Members of the DC Council

FAQs

What action do the signatories request from the DC Council?

They urge the Council to pass the PrEP DC Amendment Act (B26-0159) without change on its final reading and move swiftly toward final passage and implementation.

What does the bill aim to ensure regarding PrEP access?

It ensures DC residents vulnerable to HIV can access the full range of PrEP options without cost-sharing or prior authorization, including newer long-acting regimens.

Why do the signatories emphasize coverage of all PrEP drugs?

They state that requiring coverage is essential to increasing uptake, supporting adherence, and reducing new HIV cases in the District.

Sep 27, 2026

Uploaded by Maya Linwood