House Energy and Commerce Panel OKs Bill Helping HIV Patients

Renewal of the Ryan White CARE Act moved a step forward on Thursday when the House Energy and Commerce Committee sent to the House floor a proposed bill that would fund the act through fiscal 2013. Under the legislation, the government would spend roughly $2.5 billion annually to help low-income HIV/AIDS patients access treatment and care. Funding for Ryan White was set to expire on Sept. 30 but a resolution passed last month continues it through Oct. 30. A key Senate committee passed a similar bill last month. The proposed measure includes a provision that would allow municipalities in certain areas of New Jersey, California, Puerto Rico and New York, which were set to lose funds due to revised disbursements based on HIV/AIDS prevalence, to retain money if they meet certain criteria.

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