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The 2004 Ryan White CARE Act Grantee Conference -- Federal grantees encouraged to spend grant money on hotel and airfare for conference
August 24, 2004
Here is an example of how federal grantees are permitted to spend their grants on conference costs.
$2 Million in Federal AIDS Care Funds Spent on Conference While 1,500 Americans are on Waiting Lists for HIV Drugs
The Ryan White CARE Act is the federal program that provides medication and care services to underinsured Americas living with HIV/AIDS. As of August 4, 2004, there were 1,518 AIDS patients in the U.S. on waiting list for AIDS drug assistance provided under the CARE Act.
Yet, this week the Health Resources and Services Administration, the federal agency that administers the CARE Act program, is spending millions-- intended by Congress to provide AIDS care and treatment-- to host a conference in Washington, DC.
The invitation letter to attend the conference instructs participants, "All participants and presenters are responsible for their own travel, hotel, and registration fees, which should come from CARE Act grants."
Over 2,000 people are expected to attend the conference, meaning that approximately $2 million, or more, in federal AIDS care funds will be spent on travel, lodging and conferencing for bureaucrats at a time when over 1,500 Americans with HIV/AIDS are on waiting lists for life saving medications.
At a cost of $10,000 a year for AIDS treatment, 200 patients on ADAP waiting lists could be guaranteed medication over the next 12 months for the cost of this single conference.
Senator Tom Coburn's activity on the Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security
340 Dirksen Senate Office Building Washington, DC 20510
Phone: 202-224-2254 Fax: 202-228-3796
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