"People in the United States seem to have grown complacent and forgotten that HIV/AIDS is not just a problem overseas, but one here in our own nation. With as many as 1.1 million people in our country living with HIV/AIDS, our government, through passing a new Ryan White CARE Act, must ensure that lifesaving drugs, medical care, and social services are provided to those in need, wherever they live."
"Continued flat funding for CARE Act programs will do little to help eliminate current waiting lists, and nothing to extend care and treatment to people who aren't even on those lists. Instead, it will only serve to pit city against city and state against state for the limited dollars available. A person's ability to receive treatment should not depend upon where in the country they live."
"The Ryan White CARE Act works -- that is why it must be reauthorized. In the devastation following Hurricane Katrina, one of the only bright notes was that the Ryan White/ADAP system in states across the country went into high gear to assure that poor patients could access their life-saving medications. The CARE Act and the systems it has created serve as a model for all medical care in the U.S."
"Ryan taught us that AIDS can strike anyone, anywhere. As we work together to renew the Ryan White CARE Act, I urge the Congress and the Administration to provide adequate funding so that everyone who is in need of these lifesaving medications and medical care, can have the chance to live productive, healthy and longer lives."
"With as many as 1.1 million people in the U.S. living today with HIV/AIDS, and nearly 3 out of 4 of them uninsured or relying on public assistance, the CARE Act for them is a matter of life or death. This media campaign will remind Americans that HIV/AIDS exists in everyone's neighborhood and that despite the success of the Ryan White program, not all Americans have access to lifesaving care and treatment."
"The Ryan White CARE Act has a proven track record of success in providing lifesaving drugs as well as a full range of medical care and support services. The CARE Act is keeping people alive much longer than ever before. It has had strong bipartisan support from Congressional leaders over the years. We expect the same this year -- swift passage of reauthorization legislation this fall."
Los Angeles Latino AIDS Awareness Day Town Hall Meeting: Audio Excerpts
October 14, 2005In coordination with Los Angeles' Latino AIDS Awareness Day activities, members of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus and local government leaders joined together with local health care providers, service agencies and patients at a "town hall" to urge Congress to renew the Ryan White CARE Act. The event, which took place on October 14, 2005, was hosted by The Ryan White ACTION Campaign and Bienestar Human Services Inc.
- Dr. Gene Copello
Executive Director, The AIDS Institute
Spokesperson, Ryan White ACTION Campaign
Opening Remarks
Listen in RealAudio (1.5MB)
Download MP3 (2.7MB) - Representative Hilda Solis (CA)
Chair, Health Task Force, Congressional Hispanic Caucus
Remarks
Listen in RealAudio (6.7MB)
Download MP3 (12MB) - Rosa Molina
Patient, Bienestar Human Services, Inc.
Personal Testimony
Listen in RealAudio (2.2MB)
Download MP3 (3.9MB) - Dr. Juan Carlos Ricaurte
Medical Director, AIDS Healthcare Foundation Hollywood Healthcare Center
Personal Testimony
Listen in RealAudio (2.8MB)
Download MP3 (5MB) - Supervisor Gloria Molina
Los Angeles Country Board of Supervisors
Remarks
Listen in RealAudio (3.6MB)
Download MP3 (6.5MB) - Victor Martinez
Regional Director, Bienestar Human Services
Personal Testimony
Listen in RealAudio (2.7MB)
Download MP3 (4.9MB) - Stephen Simon
AIDS Coordinator, City of Los Angeles
Personal Testimony
Listen in RealAudio (1.5MB)
Download MP3 (2.7MB) - Mario Perez
Interim Director, Los Angeles County Office of AIDS Programs and Policy
Personal Testimony
Listen in RealAudio (6.2MB)
Download MP3 (11.2MB) - Audience Q&A
Listen in RealAudio (1.8MB)
Download MP3 (3.1MB)








