RYAN WHITE CARE ACT: HHS Announces $520 Million In Grants
Health and Human Services Secretary Donna Shalala yesterday announced $520 million in formula grant awards for 1998 to improve health care and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS. The funds also include a record $285.5 million earmarked for state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, a 71% increase over 1997 levels. The grants are provided 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. In announcing the grants, Shalala said, "The Ryan White CARE Act brings help and hope to thousands of Americans living with HIV. ... These grants will go a long way toward providing life-sustaining assistance to thousands of men, women and children."
Substantial ADAP Increase
Federal support for state AIDS Drug Assistance Programs will grow by $118.5 million in 1998, making medications and other treatments available to an estimated 108,000 low-income patients with HIV/AIDS. Dr. Claude Earl Fox, acting administrator of the Health Resources and Services Administration, said, "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 FY 1997.
Big State Winners
States receiving the largest portion of the HIV/AIDS grants announced yesterday include: California, $73.6 million; Florida, $53.8 million; New York, $87.8 million; Pennsylvania, $16.9 million; Texas, $35.1 million and Puerto Rico, $16.7 million. According to HHS, since the CARE Act was first funded in FY 1991, more than $1.7 billion in Title II grants have been awarded to the states (HHS release, 4/14).