At AIDSWATCH 2026 in Washington on March 16, advocates emphasized preparation, storytelling, and direct engagement with lawmakers to advance HIV policy.
Participants were trained to communicate lived experiences effectively in Congressional meetings. Meetings were held with staff for Senator Ashley Moody, Congressman Jared Moskowitz, and Congresswoman Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick, and in each meeting, there was agreement to continue pushing forward on HIV related priorities. Key issues included modernizing HIV criminalization laws, expanding access to long-acting injectable treatments, reinforcing U=U science, and ensuring sustained ADAP and HOPWA funding to support care and housing stability.
