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GAY MEN'S HEALTH CRISIS SUPPORTS LEGISLATION
TO EXTEND RYAN WHITE CARE ACT FOR ONE YEAR
New York, NY — Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) supports one year reauthorization
of the Ryan White CARE Act that was introduced in both the House and Senate. The
legislation introduced by Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and by Senator
Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), was also co-sponsored by several New York Members of
Congress, including Senators Chuck Schumer (D-NY) and Hillary Clinton (D-NY).
The bill would increase authorization levels by 3.7% to account for
inflation; provide a one-time authorization of $30 million for states
without Title I Eligible Metropolitan Areas; prevent monies appropriated
in FY07 from reverting back to the Treasury if unspent; and provide a
one-year extension of the federal requirement that states report HIV
data to the CDC using names-based system. Most importantly, the
legislation would prevent devastating changes that would strip funding
away from areas with the highest concentration of people living with
HIV/AIDS and effectively dismantle established systems of care.
"Twenty five years into the AIDS epidemic, Gay Men's Health
Crisis remains firmly committed to a national safety net that ensures
comprehensive, accessible, quality HIV/AIDS care in every city, state
and region," said Marjorie J. Hill, Ph.D., Interim Executive Director
of GMHC. "We are particularly grateful to Senators Schumer and
Clinton for their steadfast leadership on behalf of the tens of
thousands of New Yorkers living with HIV/AIDS."
Many HIV positive New Yorkers, including the many who use
GMHC's services, rely on Ryan White funded-programs such as
the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), to provide lifesaving
medications. With no waiting lists and a formulary that covers
not only antiretrovirals but other life-sustaining prescriptions,
New York State's ADAP has been among the strongest in the nation
and a model for the rest of the country.
This current one-year reauthorization will ensure that the
system of HIV/AIDS care, treatment, testing, counseling, and
other support services will continue to be available to the
thousands of people living with HIV/AIDS in New York and around
the country.
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Gay Men's Health Crisis (GMHC) is a not-for-profit, volunteer-supported
and community-based organization committed to national leadership in the
fight against AIDS. Our mission is to reduce the spread of HIV disease,
help people with HIV maintain and improve their health and independence,
and keep the prevention, treatment and cure of HIV an urgent national
and local priority. In fulfilling this mission, we will remain true
to our heritage by fighting homophobia and affirming the individual
dignity of all gay men and lesbians.
© 2006 Gay Men's Health Crisis
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