Jeanne White Urges Congress to Reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act

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or call: 202-530-8030

WASHINGTON -- Jeanne White, national spokesperson for the Ryan White Project at AIDS Action, today urged members of Congress to pass a bill to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act, the Federal government's response to the HIV/AIDS crisis in America. White testified before the House Commerce Subcommittee on Health and Environment.

White, whose son Ryan captured the hearts of a nation with his battle against AIDS in the 1980's, told the assembled members of Congress that she was proud a program named after her son had benefited hundreds of thousands of men, women, children and families living with HIV and AIDS.

"The CARE Act makes real Ryan's dream of compassion for people living with this disease. It provides care, drugs, and services to those who face the same struggle as my late son," White said.

White noted that in her travels across the United States promoting compassion and health care for people with HIV and AIDS, and in her work advocating for strong prevention programs, she has seen a changing face of AIDS.

"AIDS is the leading cause of death among African Americans between the ages of 25-44 and the second leading cause of death among Latinos in the same age group," White said. "The numbers are overwhelming but the faces are real. When I see these faces I am reminded that I am a mother. A mother who lost her son to AIDS. So many sons and daughters have died."

Ryan White CARE Act programs provide a safety net of care for low-income Americans affected by HIV and AIDS. A recent GAO study found that CARE Act programs benefited those communities hit hardest by the epidemic, and provided much-needed outpatient health care that prevented more costly inpatient care later on.

The Ryan White CARE Act funds community-based organizations that can be most effective in providing the unique care and social services required of those with HIV and AIDS. For more information about the Ryan White CARE Act, go to www.aidsaction.org, and click on "Ryan."

Please direct all calls to:

Denis J. Dison
Director of Communications
AIDS Action
1906 Sunderland Place, NW
Washington, DC 20036
202-530-8030 ext. 3065