Gay Today: World

Clinton /Congress Praised
for Ryan White Care Act Renewal

Compiled by GayToday

Washington, D.C.—Applause came from many quarters for the U.S. Congress and President Clinton for their having reauthorized the Ryan White CARE Act.

The passage of this bill was the result of a strong bipartisan effort meant to promote healthier lives for people living with HIV/AIDS, according to the Human Rights Campaign.

Sen. Edward Kennedy has supported the Ryan White Care Act since its creation in the early 1990s

"This was a major victory for people living with HIV/AIDS and shows what can be accomplished when the two parties work together with the common goal of bettering lives and helping people," said HRC Political Director Winnie Stachelberg.

"We commend the president for his leadership and Congress for placing politics aside to pass public policy that improves lives."

The bipartisan effort to pass this key legislation was led by Sens. James Jeffords, R-Vt., and Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., and Reps. Tom Coburn, R-Okla., and Henry Waxman, D-Calif. These members of Congress, said HRC officials, worked diligently, with dedication and purpose to reauthorize this critical act, according to HRC.

"This was a top priority of the Human Rights Campaign, and we thank our coalition partners in the HIV/AIDS community who worked for over two years to build a difficult consensus and accomplish this goal," said HRC Senior Policy Advocate Chris Labonte.

"While we celebrate this hard fought victory today, there remains a great deal of work to be done. We need to make sure that the appropriations for the Ryan White CARE Act, critical prevention programs at the Centers of Disease Control and Prevention and funds to fight the pandemic on a global stage are adequately funded."

The Human Rights Campaign was joined by other members of the National Organizations Responding to AIDS to work for renewal of the CARE Act such as: the National Minority AIDS Council, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, AIDS Action, National Association of People with AIDS and AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth and Families.

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HRC: Ryan White Care Act

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Next to the Medicaid program, the Ryan White CARE Act is the largest federal investment in the care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States.

The CARE Act supports a wide range of community based services, including primary and home health care, case management, substance abuse treatment and mental health services, and nutritional services.

The CARE Act also supports the AIDS Drug Assistance Program, which provides HIV-related prescription drugs to those without access to basic HIV treatment.

First enacted in 1990, the Ryan White CARE Act was reauthorized until 2005.

The renewal of the CARE Act allows more funds to be used for early intervention services, such as testing and counseling.

Funds are targeted for the drug assistance program to states with demonstrated need and the present renewal doubles the minimum state award.

The bill maintains the multi-title structure of the Act, allowing funds to be targeted to big cities with a significant HIV/AIDS population.