Public Policy + Advocacy

After more than forty years as Cascade AIDS Project, we are excited to announce that we are now CAP Northwest. This change has been years in the making, shaped by our staff, our board, and the communities we serve across Oregon and Washington. It reflects how much our work has grown while honoring the history that built us.

The folks at HRC put together a thorough resource document to help assist families in determining what steps they can take in response to this subpoena, which we have linked below. The resource includes templates for communications with healthcare providers and government leaders and a step by step guide for families, so take a moment to check it out if you are looking for actionable ways to support your family or other impacted families in our community.

During a recent bill signing ceremony at the University of Oregon’s Ballmer Institute, Governor Tina Kotek signed bills aimed at strengthening Oregon’s behavioral health workforce and expanding access to mental health and addiction services. Prism Health was proud to lend our expertise and support to the landmark legislation that removes barriers to entering the profession, expands the workforce, improves workplace safety, and protects young people from negative mental health outcomes relating to emerging technologies such as artificial intelligence.

In March, we sent a group of eight staff from across CAP programs to AIDSWatch in Washington, DC—the largest annual HIV conference in the country, hosted by AIDS United. We had an amazing time attending workshops and learning sessions on topics ranging from HIV and Medicaid to the criminalization of HIV, to HIV and housing.

The LGBTQIA2S+ Housing Collaborative strongly supports the City of Portland’s LGBTQIA2S+ Policy Protections Package and the reaffirmation of transgender and queer residents’ rights.

We’ve been busy championing HIV and LGBTQ+ health equity causes! Oregon’s 2026 short session started last week. We kicked it off by heading to Salem to testify in support of a bill we helped develop, HB4088, which expands the state’s policy to protect engagement in certain activities relating to reproductive health care and gender-affirming treatment. Learn more about HB 4088 and other initiatives in our latest policy and advocacy update today.

We are outraged and deeply grieved by the killing of Alex Pretti, an intensive care unit nurse and federal employee serving veterans, and Renee Good, a lesbian, mother, and poet. Both incidents hit especially close to home given Cascade AIDS Project’s (CAP) people and communities. At CAP, our work is grounded in a belief that care is sacred and that those who dedicate their lives to caring for others deserve protection, dignity, and safety — not fear or violence.

When housing becomes unstable, everything else can quickly fall out of focus—health, safety, employment, and even the ability to plan beyond tomorrow. Through a new Medicaid-funded initiative launching across Oregon, Cascade AIDS Project is stepping into that space with a powerful new tool: the CAP HRSN Assistance Program, or CHAP.

Today, on World AIDS Day, we pause to honor the millions of lives lost and the countless individuals living with HIV. This year’s UNAIDS theme, “Overcoming Disruption, Transforming the AIDS Response,” reminds us that progress is fragile and that our collective vigilance remains essential.

This week, the House Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies appropriations subcommittee released their budget proposal for the fiscal year beginning October 1, 2025. The proposed legislation is yet another disastrous step towards the gutting of HIV services established through over 40 years of advocacy.

After two years of impactful service as CEO of CAP, Paul Lumley will be stepping down from his role, effective July 1st, to take on a new position as Chief Advancement Officer at the Native American Youth and Family Center (NAYA).

The world around us is shifting fast, and it can be hard to keep up with the federal impacts on our critical work. We’re here to share the latest news and information impacting HIV and STI related funding and administrative changes coming from the Federal administration that affects the U.S.’s domestic HIV response. Just note that this information is changing daily, so connect with CAP on social media to stay up-to-date in realtime.

In the mid-1990’s, when highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) became widely available in the United States, Cascade AIDS Project’s work set out on a new course. HIV, while far from over, was no longer a death sentence for those with treatment, and we were able to shift our focus toward ensuring members of our community had access to this life-saving medication.

It is in times of uncertainty that the power of community shines. Recent federal executive orders and disruptions have introduced new challenges for our organization. We want to assure you that CAP is taking proactive steps to withstand these targeted attacks on the compassionate care we provide, and intend to do everything in our power to continue serving the community. 

Following the results of the election, we know that many in our community are feeling a mix of uncertainty, disappointment, and fear about what the future holds. This outcome may feel particularly disheartening given the work of CAP, Our House, & Prism Health with some of the most vulnerable members of our community. 

Thousands gathered at Tom McCall Waterfront Park on September 28th to Stick It To Stigma in support of all those living with and affected by HIV & AIDS at the 2024 AIDS Walk Northwest!

Thanks to a generous $300,000 grant from KeyBank, we will be launching our new Healthcare Equity Advocate Program, a pivotal initiative designed to tackle disparities in healthcare access and outcomes for marginalized communities across Oregon and Southwest Washington.

Our new clinic, Prism Health | Morris, celebrated its grand opening ceremony on June 29th, 2024! The new clinic at 15 N Morris St. in Portland, OR will further expand access to our inclusive, affirming, high-quality health care.

We’re thrilled to be participating in several Pride events this season! Read more to find out where we’ll be: