Jonathan Van Ness says cost of HIV medication prompted endorsement of Elizabeth Warren

‘Healthcare shouldn’t be for profit ever, it’s a human right’

Queer Eye star Jonathan Van Ness has said that the high cost of his HIV medication inspired him to endorse 2020 US presidential candidate Elizabeth Warren.

In a recent interview with The New York Times, Van Ness revealed he has been living with HIV for the past six years.

Since his announcement, the hair stylist has spoken publicly about the importance of people being tested for HIV and receiving treatment if they are diagnosed positive.

On Wednesday, the 32-year-old tweeted about his reasoning for endorsing Senator Elizabeth Warren in her bid to become US president, who supports “Medicare for All” and states on her website: “Health care is a basic human right.”

Warren recently surged in the 2020 election polls, overtaking former US vice president Joe Biden in California in the race to become the Democratic presidential candidate.

“The moment I knew I was endorsing @ewarren was last month when I misplaced my HIV meds,” Van Ness wrote on Twitter.

“It cost $3,500 [£2,831] to replace them out of pocket with ‘amazing’ platinum level insurance.”

Van Ness ended his tweet by echoing Warren’s words, saying: “Healthcare shouldn’t be for profit ever, it’s a human right.”

In a second tweet, Van Ness stated that he only takes one pill per day to manage his HIV.

Following the grooming expert’s tweets about his endorsement of Warren, he shared a video of himself speaking with the Democratic candidate on the phone.

“I’m team Warren. I couldn’t wait to say it,” Van Ness said during the call.

Warren responded by saying she wanted to call Van Ness to thank him for his support.

“I’m glad we’re going to be in this fight together side-by-side. I love the endorsement and for all the right reasons,” the politician said.

Van Ness’ Queer Eye co-stars Karamo Brown and Bobby Berk recently praised the television star for his decision to reveal his HIV diagnosis.

“We’ve been there supporting him around this decision that he had to make,” Berk told Variety while attending a celebration for the 50th anniversary of the Los Angeles LGBT Centre on Saturday evening.

“We’re just so happy that he feels supported today. It’s been a positive thing. People are having a good reaction to it. And that’s all that we can hope for – that he’s happy and supported.”