In the news ... 2007

Senate Committee Approves Small Increase
for HIV Care and Treatment

July 2, 2007

On Tuesday, June 19, 2007, the Senate Labor-Health and Human Services (HHS) Appropriations Subcommittee voted for small increases to parts of the Ryan White Program in the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bill:

• $5 million increase for Part B/Title II Base (money to all states for care, treatment, and support services)

• $25.4 million increase for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (money to all states to provide access to HIV drugs)

• $3.2 million increase for Part D/Title IV (money for services targeting women, children, youth, and families)

This $33.6 million overall increase for Ryan White falls far short of the $99 million offered by the House Subcommittee, and is a small fraction of the funding needed for cities, states, and providers to meet the needs of low-income people with HIV/AIDS. The Senate also failed to provide any increase for Part A/Title I, which funds the hardest-hit cities around the country, and Part C/Title III, which fund community-based clinics. All parts of the Ryan White Program must have adequate funding for it to be the real safety net for people who have no other way of getting these services.

Project Inform will continue to advocate for full funding of the Ryan White Program as the appropriations process continues. You can help by contacting your House Representative and two U.S. Senators and urging them to fight for the highest possible funding for HIV care and treatment programs.