September 18, 2009

U.S. Senator: Ryan White Bill to Be Reauthorized by September 30 Deadline

The federal Ryan White CARE Act is set to expire September 30 unless reauthorized by Congress, but U.S. Senator Tom Harkin (D–Iowa) said September 16 that the program—which provides care, treatment, education and support services for people living with HIV—will be reauthorized before the deadline, The Iowa Independent reports.

His assurance aimed to quell speculation that the heated partisan debate that surfaced in Washington, DC, during President Barack Obama’s health reform proposal would make it difficult to reauthorize the HIV/AIDS bill.

“Staff [members] have been working on the Ryan White bill for some time now, and we have a markup scheduled for next week,” Harkin said. “I’m hopeful it will be a smooth markup. We have reached out to Republican members of the committee — and I’m doing so even now — to get a bill that will be broadly supported.”

According to the article, more than $2 billion in federal funding has been distributed through the program in the past three years.

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Previous Comments:

Lonny LeFever, Rosewood, 2009-09-24 19:31:24
It is past time for our leaders to fully funded Ryan White. This service provide vital support to those of us who can not survive on what Disabilty gives us. With the mounting infection rate it of people infected, we need our leaders to stop covering for Drug and Insurance companies.It is time for them to do what they should have done years ago. With the overwhelming numbers of voter it is time we do more than VOTE. Ir is time to make a stand for every person fighting this battle.

Marc, SF BAY Area, 2009-09-24 18:51:48
well they need to change the confusing differences between states that prevent someone living in a high price area from moving to a lower price area without selling off real estate or spending savings down below $10,000... we should be encouraging people to do what can to take care of themselves as the age so they don't wind up a ward of the state instead of penalizing them just so they can afford to live and afford their medication

suzi, co.bluffs, 2009-09-23 12:40:08
I as a 50 yr old straight woman living with "Aids" plans on writing a letter to my senator stating how vital the ryan white Care Act is. I would like to see anyone infected with hiv/aids to write to their senators. This Care act has saved my LIFE as well as thousands of others. Thank you an GOD BLESS..