Washington, D.C. – The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, chaired by U.S. Senator Mike Enzi, R-Wyo., approved Wednesday a bipartisan, bicameral approach to the reauthorization of the “Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resource Emergency Act” (RWCA).
The legislation includes the first changes to the law since 2000 and would increase funding to rural areas, including Wyoming.
“I am pleased that the HELP Committee passed a bill that will improve accountability for health outcomes, save lives through treatment, and better target funding so that persons with HIV and AIDS have access to high quality care. We must always remember that the Ryan White Care Act is one of our nation’s signature examples of reaching out to those in need, therefore we must ensure that services and supports are available to all those in need, no matter where they live,” Enzi said Wednesday. “AIDS is not only a big-city problem and this bill recognizes that. AIDS affects more women, minorities and individuals in rural areas than ever before.”
The Ryan White CARE Act was initiated in 1990 to provide treatment and care for individuals suffering from HIV/AIDS who are in the greatest need of assistance. The legislation must be reauthorized every five years. It sends about $2 billion each year to state and local AIDS programs. The bill passed today is known as the “Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act,” S. 2823. Under the new bill about $70 million more than under current law would be sent directly to states. Wyoming received about $360,000 in assistance last year. Depending on further formula adjustments and actual AIDS case numbers, that number could increase by as much as $300,000 under the new bill, according to HELP Committee estimates.
“While we have made significant progress in understanding and treating this disease, there is still much more to do to save lives through education and treatment ensure equitable treatment for all Americans infected with HIV and AIDS,” Enzi said. “We must ensure those infected with HIV and living with AIDS continue to receive our support and our compassion.”
The committee approved the bill by a vote of 19-1. Enzi hopes the support in the Senate by both Democrats and Republicans and his work with House members Joe Barton, R-Texas, and John Dingell, D-Mich., will translate into final passage of the law this summer.
“This bill represents a truly bipartisan, bicameral effort and I look forward to having it signed into law this year,” Enzi said.
