The Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization Passes the House by a Vote of 408 to 9

Washington, D.C.--Congressman Eliot Engel voted for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act (S.1793), reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE program for four years by which the federal government works directly with states, cities, and community-based organizations to provide the medical care and support services to treat HIV patients. The measure passed the full Senate by voice vote this week, and now awaits President Obama’s signature to become law.

“New York State is the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS crisis in America, with 16 percent of the nation’s AIDS population, and nearly 120,000 residents living with HIV/AIDS. I was proud to vote for this bill when it was enacted in 1990, and have worked to strengthen the Ryan White program since then,” said Rep. Engel.

New York State receives more than $300 million annually in Ryan White funds to provide a range of health care and support services. Through Ryan White programs, 22,000 uninsured New Yorkers receive medications and ambulatory care services, and thousands more receive other essential services such as mental health, case management, nutrition, and treatment adherence support services.

Nationwide, the program provides care, treatment and support services to nearly half a million low-income people. Without this critical safety net, some of our nation’s most vulnerable populations would not receive the care and treatment they need and rightfully deserve.

“This reauthorization is vital because the people who rely upon it must be guaranteed uninterrupted access to care for which their lives very literally depend. I am pleased to see the bipartisan support for this measure, something we did not enjoy in 2006, the last time reauthorization came for a vote. Caring for people with HIV/AIDS is not a political issue, it is a humanitarian issue. Together we can provide the treatment needed and hopefully one day manage to find a cure for this deadly disease,” said Rep. Engel.

There are more than 50,000 new HIV/AIDS infections reported each year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, approximately 1.1 million Americans are currently living with HIV/AIDS. Since the beginning of the HIV/AIDS epidemic, an estimated 580,000 Americans with AIDS have died.

This measure increases the authorization level for each part of the Ryan White program by 5 percent a year for the next four years – authorizing a total of $2.55 billion in FY 2010, $2.68 billion in FY 2011, $2.81 billion in FY 2012, and $2.95 billion in FY 2013. The current law expired on September 30, 2009 but a Continuing Resolution (PL 111-68) extended the program through October 31, 2009.

Some details regarding the provisions in Ryan White CARE Act:

• Grants to metropolitan areas with very high numbers of AIDS cases to fund comprehensive primary care and support services, including home health care, hospice care, housing, transportation and nutrition services.
• Grants to states for health care and support services for persons with HIV/AIDS to fund home and community-based health care and support services, and an AIDS drug assistance program.
• Grants to public and non-public entities to pay for community-based programs that provide comprehensive primary care services intended to prevent or reduce HIV-related deaths.
• Grants to improve and expand primary care and support services for women, infants, or children with HIV/AIDS and their families.
• Minority AIDS Initiative funds to address the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS on racial and ethnic minorities and to improve access, treatment, care, and outcomes for racial and ethnic minorities living with HIV/AIDS.
• Furthers the effort to have collecting of surveillance data on HIV on name-based system, which decreases duplication and creates a more accurate count.

Comments made by Congressman Engel into the Congressional Record are listed below:

Madam Speaker.

I rise in strong support of the Ryan White CARE Act.

The Ryan White CARE Act holds a very special significance to New York State. As home to 16% of the nation’s AIDS population, New York remains the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS crisis. NY has nearly 120,000 residents living with HIV/AIDS and our state and cities have been proud to partner with the federal government in providing care for many of these individuals.

New York State receives more than $300 million in Ryan White funds under all parts of the act to provide a range of health care and support services. Through Ryan White programs, 22,000 uninsured New Yorkers receive medications and ambulatory care services and thousands more receive other essential services such as mental health, case management, nutrition, and treatment adherence support services. These individuals must be guaranteed uninterrupted access to these vital services.

It is critical that Congress act swiftly on the reauthorization of the Ryan White Reauthorization which nationwide provides lifesaving medications, health care and support services to over 500,000 people. As you know, unlike most reauthorizations Congress inserted a sunset provision into the Act in 2006 requiring Congressional action by September 30, 2009. While we extended temporary funding for the program in the recent CR, it is important that we do not delay enactment of a full reauthorization so that our states, cities and localities can be assured of a stable source of needed funding.

While three years ago, this reauthorization was the subject of much disagreement and dissent, we are in a different place today. Fortunately, members on both sides of the aisle, and more than 250 organizations in the United States have worked hard over the past year to develop legislative principles where there is much agreement.

This bill will provide immeasurable assistance to more than ½ a million low-income people served by the Ryan White CARE Act programs. I urge all my colleagues to support it.