Rep. Fossella Announces $2.5 Million Increase in Federal AIDS Funding for NYC

New York to Receive $120 Million in Ryan White Funding
to Help Care for Those With HIV or AIDS

[Washington, DC] – Congressman Vito Fossella (R NY13) today announced that New York City will receive $120.4 million – an increase of $2.5 million over last year – in Ryan White funding for 2006 to help residents who are infected with HIV or suffering with AIDS. 

Fossella, along with Congressman Eliot Engel, again led the New York State Congressional delegation in fighting for increased Ryan White funding for New York City. Fossella has been meeting with officials of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to make the case for increasing funding for New York City and authored a letter to Secretary Mike Leavitt that was signed by the entire New York State delegation. Fossella has also been working with the Staten Island AIDS Task Force and Project Hospitality on this initiative.

Fossella said, “This increase in funding will expand care and help for those who are suffering with HIV/AIDS. The Ryan White Act ensures that these individuals receive the treatment and care they need. Sadly, nearly one-fifth of the nation’s AIDS sufferers live in New York City, and through the Ryan White Act, we are helping them fight the disease and care for their health. To maintain these essential services, it is critical that New York continues to fight for additional funding under the program. It is imperative that New Yorkers have access to the treatment and services needed to improve their health and quality-of-life.”

Rev Troia said:  “We are deeply grateful for the leadership of Congressman Fossella in defending the  right to life, housing and health care for Staten Islanders and indeed, all New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.  New York State, the epicenter of this epidemic, leads the nation in innovative housing and services to people living with HIV/AIDS. Preserving Ryan White funding, as Congressman Fossella has done, preserves the longevity and quality-of-life for all New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS.”

The additional $2.5 million for New York City will be directed to the Minority AIDS Initiative, which is part of the Ryan White Act program.

Fossella also reiterated his concern about several proposals under consideration for the reauthorization of the Ryan White Act that could result in New York City losing millions of dollars in federal funding.  Under one proposal, cities that dedicate significant levels of their own funding to fight HIV/AIDS would receive less from the federal government. Another proposal would eliminate the consideration of high incidence areas like New York City when allocating Ryan White funding to the states, which would impede a coordinated statewide response and reduce services for people living with HIV/AIDS.

“These proposals actually penalize New York City for taking the initiative to combat HIV/AIDS,” Fossella said. “Cities like New York have developed model programs that should be replicated in other parts of the country. It turns common sense on its head to create a disincentive for cities to step up to the plate and care for their AIDS population as New York City has done.”

New York City remains the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic nationally, with an estimated 89,000 New Yorkers diagnosed and known to be living with HIV or AIDS and at least an estimated 25,000 additional people living with HIV but not yet diagnosed.  In 2003 alone, the number of reported new AIDS cases was 4,086, which surpasses the total number of people living with AIDS in most U.S. cities. New York City represents less than 3% of the U.S. population, but is home to nearly 16% of people living with AIDS.
 
 Total federal funding under the Ryan White Act has remained constant since the program was reauthorized in 2000, but New York City’s share has fluctuated during that time, increasing by $18 million is 2005, decreasing by $4 million in 2005 and jumping by $2.5 million this year.
 

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