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Skriven 2006-12-19 23:31:12 av Whitehouse Press (1:3634/12.0)
Ärende: Press Release (0612194) for Tue, 2006 Dec 19
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Fact Sheet: The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006
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For Immediate Release
Office of the Press Secretary
December 19, 2006

Fact Sheet: The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006


ÿÿÿÿÿ President Thanks House and Senate for Reauthorizing the Ryan White
CARE Act ÿÿÿÿÿ In Focus: HIV/AIDS

Today, President Bush Signed The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment
Modernization Act Of 2006. The President and Mrs. Bush appreciate Congress
responding to the President's call to reauthorize the Ryan White
Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. This bill focuses on
life-saving and life-extending services and increased accountability for
funding. It will also provide more flexibility to the Secretary of Health
and Human Services to direct funding to the areas of greatest need.
  þ The President Is Committed To Addressing The Needs Of The 1 Million
    Americans Living With HIV/AIDS And To Preventing New HIV Infections
    Within The United States. Since 2001, the Administration has devoted
    more than $74 billion to HIV/AIDS treatment and care, increasing annual
    treatment funding by 37 percent.The Administration has also devoted
    more than $15 billion to HIV/AIDS research to help develop new methods
    of treatment and prevention, increasing annual research funding by 20
    percent.
  þ The Ryan White CARE Act Is An Important Tool In Turning The Tide
    Against HIV/AIDS In America. For 16 years, the Ryan White CARE Act has
    provided medical care, antiretroviral treatments, and counseling to
    people living with HIV who would otherwise have little or no access to
    care. It also supports HIV testing to prevent this disease from
    spreading further.

Revising And Extending HIV/AIDS-Related Services

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act Revises And Extends
Services Under The Ryan White Care Act (RWCA) Program. This Act will:
  þ Provide More Flexibility To Direct Funding To Areas Of Greatest Need.
    New supplemental grants will be provided to States with an increasing
    need for HIV/AIDS-related services due to limited access to health
    care, high prevalence of HIV/AIDS, and other relevant factors. The
    program's formula for awarding funds will also be updated to consider
    the number of HIV and AIDS cases  the previous formula considered only
    the number of AIDS cases.
  þ Target Money To Core Life-Saving Medical Services For Those In Need.
    Grantees under Titles I, II, and III of the program will use no less
    than 75 percent of funds to provide core medical services. In addition,
    the reauthorization calls for the Early Intervention Services grant
    program to provide core medical services for individuals with HIV/AIDS
    in underserved populations.
  þ Require More Aggressive Oversight Of RWCA Programs. For example, the
    Secretary of Health and Human Services will be required to submit
    biennial reports describing barriers to HIV program integration. In
    addition, the Government Accountability Office (GAO) will be required
    to conduct an evaluation concerning how funds are used to provide
    family-centered care involving outpatient or ambulatory care services
    under Title IV of the RWCA Program.
  þ Standardize Minimum Requirements For The AIDS Drug Assistance Program
    (ADAP). The Secretary of Health and Human Services will develop and
    maintain a list of core ADAP medications needed to manage symptoms
    associated with HIV infection. States will be required to ensure that
    their programs, at a minimum, provide these core medications.

Addressing HIV/AIDS In Women, Children, And Minorities

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act Authorizes Programs To
Address HIV/AIDS In Women, Children, And Minorities. This Act will:
  þ Expand Resources For Women, Infants, And Children. The reauthorization
    provides for grants to States for the universal testing of newborns for
    HIV/AIDS. It also supports the provision of family-centered care for
    women and children with HIV/AIDS, including the provision of support
    services such as referrals for inpatient hospital services, treatment
    for substance abuse, mental health services, and other social services.
  þ Codify The Minority AIDS Initiative. HIV/AIDS has had a devastating
    impact on minorities in the United States  African-Americans accounted
    for 49 percent of all HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed in 2005. The Minority
    AIDS Initiative provides funding for activities to evaluate and address
    the disproportionate impact of HIV/AIDS and disparities in access,
    treatment, care, and outcome on racial and ethnic minorities.

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