Tristan Schukraft

We know how to end new HIV transmissions in the United States. The science is here. We have PrEP to prevent HIV, and we know that for people living with HIV, maintaining an undetectable viral load means they cannot transmit the virus (U=U). The roadmap exists. But getting there requires full alignment between government, private industry, and community-based organizations.

I founded MISTR because sexual health care should be easy, accessible, and stigma-free. No waiting rooms, no awkward conversations, no judgment — just simple, private, online care with free prescriptions shipped to your door. Today, over 500,000 people across all 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico use MISTR, proof that private companies can deliver real public health outcomes.

Historically, government leadership has been key to our progress. President Obama introduced the first-ever National HIV/AIDS Strategy for the United States. The Affordable Care Act (Obamacare) expanded healthcare access for people living with or at risk for HIV by eliminating pre-existing condition exclusions and expanding Medicaid to cover millions of previously uninsured, high-risk individuals. In his first term, our current president committed unprecedented resources to the Ending the HIV Epidemic initiative here at home. Bipartisan support has shown what’s possible when bold leadership meets smart strategy.

But now, with reports that the administration is considering cuts to HIV and prevention funding through the CDC, we face a moment of reckoning. At the same time, there are pending legal challenges where employers are seeking to exclude PrEP and HIV prevention from their coverage on religious freedom grounds. If these challenges succeed — and if federal funding is slashed — the consequences for public health will be devastating. But this is where the private sector must step up — to fill the gap, bridge divides, and deliver results.

Businesses have the power and platform to normalize HIV prevention and drive measurable outcomes. At MISTR, we see firsthand what’s possible: Since introducing DoxyPEP, STI positivity rates among our patients have been cut in half. But it’s not just about prescriptions — it’s about messaging. 

Our sex-positive, stigma-free marketing speaks directly to our community, making sexual health part of everyday life. No awkward doctor visits, no needles, no paperwork — just free online PrEP and STI testing, prescribed by real physicians and delivered to your door. That kind of impact could grow exponentially if more employers embraced this approach and made HIV prevention part of their employee wellness programs.

Employers, this is your call to action. Start by making sure your health plans cover PrEP and DoxyPEP. Partner with platforms like MISTR to give employees private, stigma-free access to care. Offer on-site testing. Talk openly about sexual health, not just during Pride, but every day of the year. This is not political — this is about protecting lives, strengthening communities, and building a healthier, more productive workforce. Because healthy employees aren’t just good for public health — they’re good for business.

Public-private partnership is how we end HIV in this country. Government funding laid the foundation. Now, business leaders need to carry the torch forward. When the private sector steps up, outcomes improve. And when businesses align with platforms like MISTR, scaling impact isn’t just possible — it’s happening. 

At MISTR, we are not waiting for someone else to fix the problem. We are delivering solutions, every single day, in all 50 states. But to end new transmissions in our lifetime, we need the full force of employers, brands, and industry leaders standing beside us.

The tools exist. The infrastructure exists. What we need now is commitment and action.

To policymakers: I urge you to reconsider any cuts to HIV prevention funding. This is not the time to pull back. It’s the time to push forward.

To the business community: Don’t wait. Public health belongs to all of us. MISTR is part of U.S. Business Action to End HIV, a coalition of companies committed to helping end HIV in the U.S. Join us, review your benefits, and be part of the solution.  

Ending HIV is within reach — but only if government, private industry, and community organizations stand together.

We’ve come too far to turn back. Let’s finish this.

Tristan Schukraft is the Founder and CEO of MISTR and known as “The CEO of Everything Gay.” He’s an entrepreneur and investor in LGBTQ+ spaces, including The Abbey in Los Angeles, Tryst Hotels, DS Tequila in Chicago and The Pines Fire Island.