Thompson Announces $923M in Ryan White Grants for Medical Care, Services for People With HIV/AIDS

HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson yesterday announced $923 million in Ryan White CARE Act grants to provide medical care, prescription drugs and support services to people with HIV/AIDS throughout the United States and its territories, according to an HHS release. The funds include a base award of $286 million with the addition of $619.8 million for the purchase of prescription drugs through state-run AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, $7 million under the Minority AIDS Initiative and $10 million for states with metropolitan areas that have reported between 500 and 1,999 AIDS cases. The grants, funded under Title II of the CARE Act, "will provide Americans living with HIV/AIDS a lifeline to care," Thompson said, adding that the funds will "help eliminate" the times when people with HIV/AIDS "have to choose between medical treatments and other necessities" (HHS release, 4/10).