Latest news with #HowardBrownHealth
Chicago Tribune
23-07-2025
- Health
- Chicago Tribune
Groups that support LGBTQ+ individuals brace for funding cuts that could affect HIV care, prevention
Chicago-area groups that support LGBTQ+ individuals are navigating an uncertain landscape while bracing for federal funding cuts that could affect HIV care and prevention. Cuts outlined in President Donald Trump's proposed 2026 budget mean some groups stand to lose federal funds that support medical services like testing and HIV treatment, as well as nonmedical patient supports such as housing and food subsidies. Research money that goes toward drug development is also on the chopping block. Advocates say that because the virus disproportionately affects transgender, Black and Latino individuals — and prevention efforts have been focused on those communities — HIV funding has taken a hit as diversity, equity and inclusion programs are rolled back. 'When we allocate funds to prioritize the needs of this community, it's a community that has been impacted by health disparities since before we've been counted by the census,' said Terra Campbell, associate director of community relations at LGBTQ+ health care provider Howard Brown Health. 'It's not special treatment. It's investment in the needs of your neighbor and the community.' The Midwest AIDS Training and Education Center's funding will be cut completely in the current budget proposal for fiscal year 2026. It provides training and support for health care professionals working in HIV prevention, care and treatment. Shanett Jones, Illinois program director, estimates the center trains more than 4,000 providers every year. The center receives funding under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program, the largest federal program for HIV in America. The 2026 budget proposal eliminates the part of the Ryan White program that establishes and funds all AIDS education and training centers across the United States. 'If we do lose this funding, we risk having a less prepared workforce, which leads to delayed diagnosis of people living with HIV,' Jones said. 'This is an infrastructure that, once it's dismantled, it does not come back easily — you can't win the race by slashing the engine.' AIDS Foundation Chicago gets more than 80% of its funding from federal sources. Alongside advocacy work, the foundation provides support services for people living with HIV, including testing and prevention resources, education, housing and health insurance. In 2024, the foundation served more than 8,000 people in the Chicago area. Timothy Jackson, senior director of policy, said the foundation is currently planning for a projected loss of 40% of those funds in the president's 2026 budget request. AIDS Foundation Chicago is partially funded by both Ryan White and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. According to KFF, a nonprofit health policy research organization, the proposed budget cuts all of the CDC's HIV prevention funds. The foundation also receives funding through the Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program, which will also be eliminated in the proposed 2026 budget. These nonmedical services are essential for reducing HIV in Chicago, Jackson said. 'We have to look at all of the other things that make HIV possible, or make the transmission of HIV possible. So that's when we talk about housing, that's when we talk about harm reduction. That's why we talk about transportation and food access and all of these other different things,' he said. AIDS Foundation Chicago filed a lawsuit in February along with two other nonprofits challenging executive orders that sought to end 'diversity, equity, inclusion, and accessibility' programs and equity-related grants and contracts. 'Our mission is rooted in ending HIV and homelessness in the communities that are most impacted. And it is very difficult to do that when you are not leading with equity,' Jackson said. These organizations' work has already been affected by the National Institutes of Health funding pause earlier this year, and will continue to be affected by cuts to research funding in the planned budget. Jackson said the recent success of the twice-annual HIV prevention shot, lenacapavir, would not have been possible without NIH and CDC funding. 'This administration does not value science. We see that play out over the huge cuts at the CDC, the National Institutes of Health, which all impact HIV and the work around new HIV treatment and prevention modalities,' Jackson said. Even groups that are not largely reliant on federal funding are experiencing the strain of an uncertain economic future. Chris Balthazar, executive director of TaskForce Prevention and Community Services, a health and wellness group serving LGBTQ+ youth in Chicago, says many of his organization's partners are only signing contracts for quarterly periods, instead of their usual 12-month periods, in case funding disappears. These partners are how TaskForce provides many of its services, which include legal and housing aid, HIV and other STD testing, and connecting patients to medical care. 'Imagine what the impact of that is on the ground. How do you sustain a job on a grant that you don't even have a full 12-month contract for?' he said. Additionally, Balthazar explained that while state funding is not being cut as explicitly as federal funding, it is still expected to decline. The federal government partially funds the Illinois and Chicago Departments of Public Health, which then give grants to groups like TaskForce. Since the health departments don't know what sort of funding to expect in the next year, they aren't able to commit to the same grants they have in years previous. 'So much of the state budget comes from the federal budget. And I think that it's scary that, unfortunately, if this continues and nothing is undone, we're going to see major cuts, and we're going to see more and more people who are on the margins of the margins be even more drastically devastated by this,' he said. Both Jackson and Jones said that the most important thing anyone can do for HIV care and prevention in Chicago right now is to call their representatives and express support for continued HIV funding. 'It's reassuring that we have people who are still engaged, who are still advocating, who are still hoping. And when I go and I talk to community groups, I tell them, we can't go back to the '80s,' Jackson said. 'We're going to do what we have always done in 40-plus years of the epidemic: rely on community to get us through.'
Business Upturn
19-06-2025
- Health
- Business Upturn
nuEra Partners with Howard Brown Health & Care Moor Foundation for June 2025 Fundraisers
CHICAGO, June 18, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — nuEra Cannabis is proud to announce two impactful fundraisers this June in partnership with Howard Brown Health and the Care Moor Foundation for Civic Engagement . Aligned with both Pride Month and Juneteenth, these initiatives reflect nuEra's ongoing commitment to inclusion, wellness, and social equity through cannabis. Juneteenth Fundraiser — June 19 On June 19, nuEra will donate 5% of net revenue from all nuEra House of Brands products and Black Owned Brands to the Care Moor Foundation for Civic Engagement. The Care Moor Foundation for Civic Engagement empowers Black communities through civic engagement, education, leadership development, and social justice advocacy — driving systemic change and uplifting underserved populations across Illinois. From June 19–22, customers can also make direct donations at checkout in all nuEra dispensaries , further supporting Care Moor's vital voter education, leadership training, and social equity work. Pride Month Fundraiser — June 28 On June 28, nuEra will contribute 5% of net revenue from all House of Brands products to Howard Brown Health. Founded in 1974, Howard Brown Health is one of the nation's largest LGBTQ+ healthcare providers, now serving over 40,000 patients across 12 Illinois locations. They deliver affirming, culturally competent care including primary healthcare, HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment, mental health services, dental care, and wellness programs. From June 27–30, customers may also make direct donations at the register to further support Howard Brown Health's mission to eliminate healthcare disparities and provide compassionate, equitable care for LGBTQ+ individuals regardless of ability to pay. 'This Pride, shopping at nuEra means more than your regular trip to the dispensary. Your purchase directly contributes to the wellbeing of the over 40,000 patients who rely on Howard Brown Health for equitable, affirming care regardless of their ability to pay. We're thrilled to partner again with nuEra, and are honored to be selected as their partner for Pride.' — Michael Brigance, Annual Fund Coordinator, Howard Brown Health Why These Fundraisers Matter These June fundraisers highlight nuEra's deep-rooted values of equity, inclusion, and authentic local engagement: Howard Brown Health delivers vital healthcare services tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, fostering safe, affirming spaces for physical and mental wellbeing. delivers vital healthcare services tailored to the unique needs of LGBTQ+ individuals, fostering safe, affirming spaces for physical and mental wellbeing. Care Moor Foundation for Civic Engagement empowers Black communities through civic participation, voter engagement, leadership development, and social justice reform — creating pathways for systemic, sustainable change. Shop With Purpose 'Whether shopping for our curated brands, donating at checkout, or simply sharing these causes with friends and family, every action helps build a healthier, more inclusive future for all,' said Jonah Rapino nuEra Director of Marketing. 'nuEra is proud to use cannabis as a platform for real social impact.' All nuEra dispensary locations across Illinois are participating in this fundraiser — see the full list of locations below. For full event schedules and partner organization details, visit . About nuEra Cannabis: nuEra Cannabis is an Illinois-born, family-owned and operated cannabis company with deep roots in the state's medical cannabis history. As one of the original license holders, nuEra has helped shape the market from day one and now stands as one of the largest independent, vertically integrated operators in Illinois. With nine dispensaries across the state, its operations span cultivation, product manufacturing, wholesale, and retail. The name 'nuEra' reflects a belief that cannabis legalization in Illinois did more than change laws — it marked the beginning of a new era. An era of safer, higher-quality cannabis, greater access, and deeper community impact. From seed to sale, nuEra is committed to delivering premium products, empowering education, and building lasting partnerships across Illinois. For more information, visit . Stay connected with nuEra on social media: Twitter: @nuEraCannabis Facebook: nuErachicago Instagram: @ A photo accompanying this announcement is available at Disclaimer: The above press release comes to you under an arrangement with GlobeNewswire. Business Upturn takes no editorial responsibility for the same. Ahmedabad Plane Crash
Yahoo
05-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Illinois attorney general says state will protect gender-affirming care, despite Trump executive order
After a week of uncertainty for Illinois hospitals and clinics over an executive order seeking to end gender-affirming care for minors, the Illinois attorney general issued a statement Wednesday saying the state will protect such care. The statement, from Attorney General Kwame Raoul and the attorneys general of 14 other states, says that federal dollars remain available to institutions that provide gender-affirming care, and that Illinois and the other states will take legal action if that funding is halted. 'State attorneys general will continue to enforce state laws that provide access to gender-affirming care, in states where such enforcement authority exists, and we will challenge any unlawful effort by the Trump administration to restrict access to it in our jurisdictions,' the statement says. The statement comes about a week after President Donald Trump issued an executive order seeking to end gender-affirming care that involves federal dollars for people under the age of 19, and that prohibits institutions that receive federal research grants from offering gender-affirming care for people under 19. It's an executive order that's ignited confusion among hospitals and other providers of gender affirming care across the country, with some hospitals and clinics in other states abruptly halting such care. It's unclear whether any health care providers in Illinois that offer gender-affirming care for minors have stopped those services in the last week. A Rush spokesman said the hospital system is still providing gender-affirming care for minors. Lurie Children's Hospital said in a statement Wednesday that it 'is proud to provide access to comprehensive, family-centric, and developmentally appropriate healthcare in a safe and inclusive clinical space. We are reviewing the recent Executive Orders addressing gender care and assessing any potential impact to the clinical services we offer to our patient-families.' Howard Brown Health, which receives federal funds to care for low-income patients and specializes in care for patients who are LGBTQ+, said in a statement Tuesday, 'The order has no immediate impact on our operations, and we will be monitoring developments working with our partners. We are continuing to provide gender-affirming care to all patients who rely on our services and remain committed to improving the health of trans and gender diverse communities.' Gender-affirming care can include a range of services, such as counseling, medications to delay puberty, hormone therapy and/or surgery. The statement from the attorneys general says that '… federal funding to institutions that provide gender-affirming care continues to be available, irrespective of President Trump's recent executive order. If the federal administration takes additional action to impede this critical funding, we will not hesitate to take further legal action.' Raoul also notes in the statement that Illinois law requires health care providers to provide care to all residents and prohibits unlawful discrimination on the basis of gender identity. Other states that joined Illinois in the statement include California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Hawaii, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Nevada, New Jersey, New York, Rhode Island, Vermont and Wisconsin. The statement comes a day after PFLAG, the American Association of Physicians for Human Rights and transgender young adults and their families filed a lawsuit in federal court in Maryland challenging the executive order. More to come.
Yahoo
04-02-2025
- Health
- Yahoo
Howard Brown announces new CEO, during time of challenges for transgender patients under Trump
Howard Brown Health announced a new CEO on Tuesday – a former public health official who arrives after a time of tumult for the organization and at the beginning of a presidential term that's already posing challenges for transgender patients. Dr. Travis Gayles will serve as CEO of Howard Brown, which has seven clinics in Chicago and specializes in caring for patients who are LGBTQ+ and people living with HIV. A search committee selected Gayles from among 200 candidates. Most recently, Gayles was chief health Officer at Hazel Health, a school-based telehealth provider. He's also served as a public health official in Maryland and the District of Columbia. Early in his career, Gayles trained at Lurie Children's Hospital and Northwestern University's Feinberg School of Medicine, where he specialized in adolescent and HIV medicine. 'We are at a critical moment where we can amplify our voice — not only in Chicago but across the nation — working to tackle the systemic barriers that still exist in healthcare,' Gayles said in a news release about his appointment. Gayles will begin serving as CEO on March 3. His tenure follows controversy at Howard Brown, and coincides with the beginning of President Donald Trump's term. Trump has worked in recent weeks to dismantle programs and protections for people who are transgender. He issued an executive order proclaiming that the federal government will only recognize two genders, and another executive order saying that many types of federal money may not be used for gender affirming care for minors, and that institutions receiving federal research grants may not perform gender affirming care for minors. Howard Brown is a federally qualified health center, meaning it receives federal funding to care for low-income patients. A spokesperson for Howard Brown said in a statement Tuesday: 'The order has no immediate impact on our operations, and we will be monitoring developments working with our partners. We are continuing to provide gender-affirming care to all patients who rely on our services and remain committed to improving the health of trans and gender diverse communities.' Tim Wang, director of policy and advocacy for Howard Brown, told the Tribune late last year that a loss of federal funding would create 'a huge hole in our operating budget.' Howard Brown treats nearly 38,000 patients a year, and about a quarter of its patients are on Medicare or Medicaid. Howard Brown has also grappled in recent years with conflicts with workers' unions as well as financial struggles. In May, Howard Brown announced that it planned to close two of its Chicago clinics following an expected $6.6 million budget shortfall; because of the departure of the clinics' sole providers; and because the clinics' leases were up. In November, Howard Brown agreed to pay $1.3 million to workers that the National Labor Relations Board alleged it laid off illegally. The settlement agreement resolved a complaint that alleged the health center had illegally laid off more than 50 workers without bargaining with their union. Howard Brown workers represented by the Illinois Nurses Association went on strike twice in 2023 before reaching a contract agreement in May. Dr. Robin Gay has been serving as interim CEO of Howard Brown for about a year and will support the new CEO during the leadership transition before resuming her role as Howard Brown's chief dental officer.
