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CT House Congressional Delegation Restores Ryan White HIV/AIDS Funding

July 20, 2007
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FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:July 20, 2007

CT House Congressional Delegation Restores Ryan White HIV/AIDS Funding

Washington, D.C. ? Connecticut?s House Congressional Delegation applauded the inclusion of emergency funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program for New Haven and Hartford in the Labor, Health and Human Services, Education Appropriation Bill for fiscal year 2008. The bill passed the U.S. House of Representatives 276 ? 140. The legislation also needs to be voted on by the Senate, approved by both chambers and signed by the President.

As a result, New Haven and Hartford will receive an additional $712,334 and $892,259, respectively, increasing their 2007 funding to $5.5 million for New Haven and $3.8 million for Hartford. This year, funding for Hartford, New Haven and the surrounding areas lost a combined total of $3 million in Ryan White funding because the Health Resources and Services Association incorrectly interpreted provisions included in the 2006 reauthorization intended to prevent drastic cuts from happening.

?This additional funding for the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program will reduce the losses felt by our communities from the drastic, destabilizing funding cuts this year. Ryan White funds are absolutely vital for our communities striving to assist individuals and families affected by HIV and AIDS with health care costs and support services. When we reauthorized the program last year, there was no indication at the time that Connecticut and many other jurisdictions would experience such severe cuts and the funds in this bill will ensure our communities do not have a significant reduction in services,? said Congresswoman Rosa DeLauro (CT ? 3).

"The Ryan White program has long been critical in helping individuals and families living with HIV/AIDS. The loss of Ryan White funds in the state of Connecticut this year is completely unacceptable. While we continue to hold the Administration accountable for these cuts, the Connecticut delegation remains committed to minimizing the devastating impact on our communities. This bill and the funding it provides will make a difference in so many lives. I commend leaders like Rosa DeLauro who worked tirelessly in the Appropriations Committee to ensure additional funding was included in the final bill,? stated Congressman John B. Larson (CT-1).

"I strongly support providing the necessary resources for Ryan White Care Act programs, which help individuals living with this disease maintain their quality of life. I am grateful the Appropriations Committee included this language and prevented a large cut in federal funding to our state. Our entire delegation will continue working on a bipartisan basis to keep Connecticut's HIV/AIDS treatment programs among the strongest in the nation." ? Rep. Chris Shays (CT-4)

"Due to failures at many levels of government, Connecticut residents living with HIV and AIDS were pinning their hopes on supplemental grant funding to plug some of the inexcusable gaps in coverage for health needs, housing, and food. Congress had been left to clean up the mess, and along with advocates across the state, the Connecticut delegation has been working against the clock to fight for what is right for our communities. This week, we won a battle in that fight, and I will continue to work to secure additional funding for those with HIV and AIDS,? said Congressman Chris Murphy (CT ? 5).

"Restoring a significant portion of the Ryan White program?s critical funding is a step forward for those individuals and their families affected by HIV/AIDS. I am pleased that Connecticut will now receive a larger share of federal funding than initially anticipated to support those hit hardest by the epidemic," said Rep. Joe Courtney (CT-2).

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Issues:Health Care