In an effort to reach all individuals eligible for compassionate payments under the Ricky Ray Hemophilia Relief Fund Act of 1998, HHS’ Health Resources and Services Administration published a Federal Register notice July 27 reminding would-be petitioners of the Nov. 13, 2001, closing date for filing.

HRSA recently distributed to nearly 1,500 U.S. health care delivery sites brochures in English and Spanish that summarize the Act and its eligibility requirements.

Congress established the Ricky Ray fund to make compassionate payments of $100,000 to individuals with blood-clotting disorders, such as hemophilia, who contracted HIV from contaminated blood products between July 1, 1982, and Dec. 31, 1987.  Spouses and children who contracted HIV from these individuals and other specified survivors also may be eligible.

To be eligible for review, petitions must be postmarked by a U.S. Postal Service meter by Nov. 13, 2001.  A legibly dated receipt accompanying the petition from a commercial carrier or the Postal Service will be accepted in lieu of a postmark.  Hand-delivered petitions and petitions postmarked by a private meter will not be accepted.

The combined totals of the Fiscal Year 2000 and 2001 appropriations -- $655 million --provide sufficient funding to make payments on the more than 5,800 petitions already filed.  To date, more than $425 million in compassionate payments has been paid from the trust fund.

A petition form, along with instructions on filling it out and other information on the Ricky Ray program, can be obtained on the Web at www.hrsa.gov/bhpr/rickyray or by calling toll-free 1-888-496-0338.

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