LARSON STATEMENT ON REDUCED RYAN WHITE CARE ACT FUNDS IN CONNECTICUT

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:May 22, 2007

LARSON STATEMENT ON REDUCED RYAN WHITE CARE ACT FUNDS IN CONNECTICUT

WASHINGTON? Congressman John B. Larson issued the following statement regarding cuts to Ryan White CARE Act funds in Connecticut. Hartford saw a decrease in funding from $2,024,791 to $913,750.

?It is disheartening to know that Bush Administration has chosen to not heed the appeal of the Connecticut delegation for supplemental funding. Our communities rely on this funding to provide critical services to those living with HIV/AIDS. The drastic nature of this cut will have a devastating impact on the services, housing, access to primary medical care and life-saving medications for hundreds.

?I am very disappointed that the Administration has chosen not to work together with us to solve this critical issue. Their obstinacy will impact the lives of thousands of people in Connecticut living with HIV/AIDS. The Connecticut delegation is committed to continue working for additional funding because those living with HIV/AIDS can?t afford to wait.?

Earlier this year, Connecticut?s Congressional delegation sent a letter to Michael Leavitt, Secretary of Health and Human Services, and Elizabeth Duke, Health Resources and Services Administrator requesting they give Connecticut priority when allocating supplemental funding for HIV/AIDS care. The letters also requested an explanation of how the Ryan White Title I funding formula was determined.

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