HHS Awards $1.7B in Ryan White CARE Act Grants for HIV/AIDS Care for Low-Income People
HHS Secretary Mike Leavitt on Wednesday announced 174 grants totaling nearly $1.7 billion for states, territories and cities to provide care and services for low-income HIV-positive people, according to an HHS release. The grants are provided under three titles of the Ryan White CARE Act. The 51 Title I grants, totaling $587 million, will help eligible metropolitan areas provide essential HIV/AIDS care and support services to HIV-positive patients who are uninsured or underinsured, according to the release. The 59 Title II grants, totaling $1.06 billion, will support state and territory AIDS Drug Assistance Programs, including funding for the purchase of antiretroviral drugs, as well as the Minority AIDS Initiative. The 64 Title III grants, totaling $25.7 million, will help community-based organizations provide outpatient care services, including testing, referring and counseling, as well as medical evaluation and clinical care, according to the release. "These grants continue our domestic commitment to caring for Americans who are living with HIV/AIDS," Leavitt said, adding, "The states, territories and cities will use these funds to provide people living with HIV/AIDS the health care services, medications and counseling they need to live longer, healthier lives." Since 2001, the Bush administration has disbursed more than $9.85 billion in CARE Act funds, allowing approximately 571,000 people annually to access HIV/AIDS treatment and services (HHS release, 3/2).
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