Law & Policy:

Written Comments on Reauthorization of CARE Act: Due July 30

Written Comments Sought on CARE Act Reauthorization/Resource Allocation Issues: Due July 30

Public input about future HIV/AIDS care programs is being sought by the CDC/HRSA Advisory Committee on HIV and STD Prevention and Treatment (CHACHSPT) CARE Act Reauthorization Workgroup. Written comments are requested specifically on CARE Act resource allocation issues that affect the distribution of funds across and within the various components of the CARE Act. Feedback provided will be used in helping the workgroup craft recommendations on the future reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act, which will be submitted by the CHACHSPT to the HRSA Administrator and the Secretary of the Department of Health and Human Services.

Feedback is sought to supplement reauthorization recommendations developed by CHACHSPT, which involved formal testimony gained from three public forums held around the country. Since that time, the report on Public Financing and Delivery of HIV Care was released by the Institute of Medicine, and new and ongoing issues about HIV/AIDS resources have been raised by communities and CARE Act constituents.

Comments must be postmarked by July 30, 2004. Limit written comments to no more than 10 single-spaced pages (20 double-spaced). Provide the name, address, telephone and fax numbers, and any organizational affiliation of the person(s) providing written comments. Respondents may be contacted by the CHACHSPT's Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization Workgroup to answer questions regarding their submitted comments. Of particular interest are comments on:

1. The use of HIV case reporting and service utilization data to determine eligibility under Title I and funding under Titles I and II of the CARE Act.
2. Changes to the existing Titles I and II hold harmless provisions.
3. Changes in the percentages of the Title I grant awarded by formula and competitively.
4. Changes in the percentages of the Title II AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) distributed by formula and supplemental awards.
5. Comparability and portability of the ADAP.
6. Institute of Medicine report on: ``Public Financing and Delivery of HIV Care: Securing the Legacy of Ryan White.''

< See the full Federal Register Written Comments Notice > http://a257.g.akamaitech.net/7/257/2422/06jun20041800/edocket.access.gpo.gov/2004/04-15088.htm >.
or go to http://www.gpoaccess.gov/fr/index.html and then Quick search for pages 40385-40386.

Send written comments to CHACHSPT, c/o HRSA, HIV/AIDS Bureau, Office of Policy and Program Development, Attention: Shelley Gordon, 5600 Fishers Lane, Room 7-18, Rockville, Maryland 20857. To learn more, contact Shelley Gordon at (301) 443-9684, fax (301) 443-3323, or e-mail: SGordon@hrsa.gov