BESTD Clinic in Milwaukee faces federal funding freeze of more than half of their budget

MILWAUKEE (CBS58) -- After providing free services for the community for over 50 years, BESTD Clinic on Brady Street in Milwaukee is at risk after a federal funding freeze. The clinic was reportedly told on May 30 by the Center of Disease Control (CDC) that on May 31, their federal funding would not be receiving any more federal funding for the next fiscal year.

$50,000 was guaranteed in a 5-year grant from the CDC through the department of public health, according to Ruthie Burich-Weatherly, Clinic Manager of BESTD Sexual Health Clinic. That means more than half of their budget will not be available, says Burich-Weatherly. “When we talk about services people can’t get here anymore if funding isn’t restored is insurmountable. It’s a stress no one wants right now,” she said.

“It was heartbreaking. It really is. It's something that everyone who does this type of work is really passionate about, and the uncertainty of what is going to go forward is stressful,” shared Burich-Weatherly. She says the grant funding provides materials needed to provide HIV & STD tests and the processing materials.

In 1974, BESTD Clinic opened as a way to provide medical attention to the LGBTQ+ community. Burich-Weatherly says they’ve served 28,413 people over 51 years. “When you need that service and you’ve been able to access it like ours for 50 years, you want to just know you can show up and get what you need,” shared Burich-Weatherly. “In 2024, the clinic completed 2,212 unique patient STD visits, provided 1,403 HIV tests, and 643 new patients visited the clinic” she states.

The CDC didn't reportedly tell Burich-Weatherly why their funding hasn't come through, and doesn't know if they'll receive the next 4-years of guaranteed funding. She says, “this is not just a Milwaukee problem, this is a national problem of divestments in direct patient services in HIV and AIDs, and there are other states that have had other programs completely eliminated.” The Rock and Marathon County Health Departments according to Burich-Weatherly are funded under the same grant for HIV testing as BESTD, and are completely on hold.

As the clinic prepares for Pridefest and Pride parade, supposed to be moments of celebration... they also face a moment of uncertainty. “This excitement is instantly squashed with concern of what's next? And when you don’t have the answers for what’s next, it just adds insult to injury,” she said.

The clinic will remain open and is looking at other ways of finding funding. "Right now, we are able to provide services, and that’s the most important goal we have. The goal is not to cut services, but it’s going to be difficult," said Burich-Weatherly.

BESTD will be offering free HIV and STD testing at Pridefest on Friday from 3-8 p.m. and Saturday from 12-8 p.m. They’ll also be offering a full 30-day supply of PrEP to those at moderate to high risk for HIV.

You’ll be able to find them at the Health & Wellness Area next to the US Cellular Stage.