At this meeting, Jonathan Frochtzwajg, SFAF Director of Health Justice, updated the group on the latest local, state and national health policy developments, including:

• The statewide End the Epidemics coalition is advocating for ADAP rebate and opioid settlement funds to be invested in HIV/syndemic services like PrEP navigation, HIV linkage to care, HIV-and-aging services, HIV/HCV/syph screening in EDs, HIV housing, drug checking, and harm reduction programs. ETE is developing ADAP Funds 5-Year Plan & welcomes GTZ-SF’s feedback.
• Senate Bill 1023, which would require insurers that cover injectable PrEP under their medical benefit to also cover it under their pharmacy benefit
• Assembly Bill 1843 would prohibit insurers from imposing prior authorization on HCV treatment in most cases, and require PA criteria to align with clinical guidelines
• Closely monitoring CA implementation of HR 1 to ensure state exempt PLWH from work-reporting requirements.
• For 2025-26, SFDPH cut more than $938k for syndemic services. For 2026-28, in addition to internal staff reductions, DPH has proposed approx. $3M in reductions to funding for syndemic services. Take Action! Text FIGHT CUTS to the number 1-888-272-2848.

To stay in the know about state issues and take action, text FUND HEALTH to 888-27-ACTIVATE (888-272-2848)

Following that informative update, Dr. Phillip Coffin presented the latest advances in drug treatment and research. We then heard from an esteemed panel – Kyle Temple, LCSW (SFAF); Matt Hickey, MD (UCSF); and Joanna Eveland, MD (SFDPH) – on their insights into the intersection of addiction, HIV prevention, and care.

What’s working

• Low‑barrier, drop‑in HIV care is highly effective (e.g., Ward 86 POP-UP and CARES)
• Co‑locating HIV care, substance use treatment (including MOUD), mental health care, and STI/PrEP services in the same space is increasing engagement and retention
• Long‑acting injectables are “game changers” i.e., buprenorphine, naltrexone, ART
• Housing First. Getting PEH into shelter or, ideally, permanent supportive housing is essential for stabilizing substance use and improving HIV outcomes
• Incentives and basic supports increase engagement (e.g., gift cards and snacks)

Some recommendations

• Scale up low‑barrier, integrated care models
• Expand long‑acting injectable treatments
• Invest in supportive housing, shelter with services, and consistent food support
• Embed harm reduction into all programs. Normalize naloxone, fentanyl test strips, safer use supplies, statins, sleep support, and smoking cessation when talking with patients
• Train and hire from highly impacted communities to deliver care to build a representative, lived‑experience workforce

Slides from the meeting are here.