This is an archive page. The links are no longer being updated.
Date: Tuesday, April 14, 1998 FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: HRSA Press Office(301) 443-3376
"The Ryan White CARE Act brings help and hope to thousands of Americans living with HIV," said Secretary Shalala. "High-quality medical care and powerful new drug combinations are extending the length and quality of people's lives. These grants will go a long way toward providing life-sustaining assistance to thousands of men, women and children."
The grants are funded under Title II of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act, which provides HIV/AIDS care to low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals affected by the epidemic. The CARE Act programs are administered by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
The increase in ADAP funding is $118.5 million, bringing total Ryan White ADAP support from $167 million in FY 1997 to $285.5 million in FY 1998. The funding will help make medications and other treatment available to an estimated 108,000 low-income patients with HIV/AIDS. New drugs make HIV/AIDS much more successfully treatable, but the medications are expensive, Secretary Shalala said.
Title II formula grants are based on a calculation of the estimated number of people living with AIDS in each state or territory. Since fiscal year 1996, separate funds have been earmarked under Title II to support state ADAPs in purchasing pharmaceuticals for low-income people living with HIV/AIDS. States also may designate a portion of their Title II formula grants to support ADAPs.
"The Title II grants support more than 25 types of medical and other health and social support services for low income individuals with HIV/AIDS," said Acting HRSA Administrator Claude Earl Fox, M.D., M.P.H. "At any one time, an estimated 55,000 people living with HIV are receiving the life sustaining drugs they need through the Title II-funded ADAP program. About 87,000 people received ADAP benefits in fiscal year 1997."
Since the CARE Act was first funded in fiscal year 1991, HRSA has awarded more than $1.7 billion in Title II grants to states. In calendar year 1995 (the most recent year for which collected data have been verified), the states used the funds to contract with more than 2,500 providers. Of these, almost 1,600 professionals provided patients nearly 413,000 medical office visits and more than 58,800 dental care visits. Other services include residential and in-home hospice care, transportation to and from care appointments, food banks and home delivered meals.
The CARE Act became law August 18, 1990, and was reauthorized and amended in fiscal year 1996. Programs under the CARE Act are designed to improve the quality, availability and organization of care for individuals and families affected by HIV disease, and to help public and private entities provide health care and support services.
Contact the number above for a list of Title II formula grant awards.