‘Real Housewives’ Hit Capitol Hill for HIV Funding Fight

Multiple Real Housewives stars from across the country stepped away from their roles on Bravo’s mega-hit reality franchise to descend on Capitol Hill Wednesday, raising awareness about the thousands of Americans at risk of losing cost-free access to the HIV medications they rely on once state funding lapses.

Erika Jayne of The Real Housewives of Beverly Hills; NeNe Leakes and Phaedra Parks of Atlanta; Melissa Gorga of New Jersey, Candiace Dillard Bassett of Potomac; Marysol Patton of Miami; and Luann de Lesseps of New York City all traveled to Washington as part of a campaign spotlighting the realities faced by Americans living with HIV.

The gathering, held at the Capitol, brought the reality stars together with lawmakers including Adelita Grijalva and Mazie Hirono, who mingled with attendees as discussions centered on HIV care and funding in the United States.

Dubbed “Housewives on the Hill,” the event underscored that 18 U.