House Votes To Pass Reconciled Ryan White CARE Act, Senate on Deck

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WASHINGTON, DC -- AIDS Action today praised the U.S. House of Representatives for voting to pass a bill that will help Americans living with HIV and AIDS continue to access vital health care and social services. The Senate is expected to pass the same bill before the 106th Congress adjourns. The bill reauthorizes the Ryan White CARE Act for five years. Enacted in 1990 and reauthorized again in 1996, the CARE Act is essential for Americans living with HIV disease.

"Congress has voted to stand by Americans living with HIV/AIDS," said Claudia French, acting executive director at AIDS Action. "Hundreds of thousands of people depend on care and treatment accessed through the CARE Act. This vote puts us one step closer to ensuring that individuals living with HIV/AIDS have somewhere to turn when they need help."

The CARE Act provides support to community-based organizations on the front lines in the battle against HIV and AIDS. This legislation plays a critical role in ensuring access to appropriate care and services for Americans living with HIV/AIDS. CARE Act funds are used to provide primary medical care, AIDS drugs, treatment information, case management, and other essential support services. While each of the CARE Act's components addresses a specific need, they complement each other and play a significant role in making this program the health care and social safety net of last resort.

"On behalf of all Americans living with HIV/AIDS, we thank the members of both parties for voting to reauthorize this successful program," said French. "AIDS is an issue that affects everyone and the House of Representatives has acted wisely to pass this important piece of legislation," said French.