Renewing the Commitment: The 2005 Reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act

• Foreword
• Introduction
  • About the Ryan White CARE Act
  • About AIDS Alliance
  • Our Stake in Reauthorization
• Women, Children, Youth, and Families Affected by HIV/AIDS
  • Epidemiological Profile
  • Special Needs of Women, Children, Youth and Families
  • Preventing Mother-to-Child Transmission of HIV (MTCT): The Role of Voluntary Testing and Comprehensive Services
• The Ryan White CARE Act Today
  • Four Titles and Other Programs: The Structure of the CARE Act
  • Women, Infants, Children and Youth (WICY) Set-Asides
• Title IV: The Unique Structure and Benefits of Family-Centered Care
  • About Title IV Grantees
  • Family-Centered Approaches to Care
• Reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act in 2005: Policy Principles From AIDS Alliance
  • Defining Our Policy Priorities
  • Ten Policy Principles and Justifications
  • Existing Legislation
• References

Foreword

Since 1990, the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act has played a principal role in providing care and treatment for people affected by HIV/AIDS. More than 500,000 Americans depend on it to meet their needs for medical care, treatment, and support services. Through CARE Act services, we have drastically reduced HIV/AIDS-related illness and death, and nearly eliminated mother-to-child transmission in the United States.

In September 2005, the CARE Act will expire, and Congress is taking up the issue of reauthorizing, or renewing, this important legislation. The Administration and Congressional leaders of both parties have already begun this process, and we hope to see a speedy enactment in the coming months.

Recently, much needed attention in the public policy arena has been paid to the impact HIV/AIDS is having around the world. The document's title, Renewing the Commitment, is meant to remind us that in addition to the devastation wrought abroad, HIV/AIDS remains a crisis here at home, and that we still need a robust response from the federal government to help save lives, keep people healthier, and prevent new infections. This document offers principles on how the CARE Act should be reauthorized to best serve women, children, youth, and families affected by HIV/AIDS.

Renewing the Commitment reflects the hard work of many individuals. Thanks to Dorothy Mann and the members of the Government Affairs Committee of the board for their efforts in developing our reauthorization principles, and reviewing and editing this document. Thanks also to the staff members who coordinated the writing, editing, and production of this paper: Mark Del Monte, Michael Stevens, Mary McGonigel, and Ann Checkley.

We hope this document informs the debate as Congress and the Administration take up CARE Act reauthorization. Women, children, youth, and families affected by HIV/AIDS depend upon their actions, and developing effective public policy is crucial to providing quality care and treatment to all who need it.

Ivy Turnbull, President
David C. Harvey, Executive Director