The NAACP supports the prompt reauthorization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act is Federal legislation that addresses the unmet health needs of persons living with HIV disease (PLWH) by funding primary health care and support services that enhance access to and retention in care. The CARE Act reaches over 500,000 individuals each year, making it the Federal Government's largest program specifically for people living with HIV disease. First enacted by Congress in 1990, it was amended and reauthorized in 1996 and again in 2000. The CARE Act was due to be reauthorized by Congress in 2005, yet they have not yet acted to do so. The program's authority has been extended under current law while reauthorization discussions continue to take place.
| Ryan White CARE Act |
| Briefing Notes |
| Quick Stats |
| Talking Points |
| Sample Letter (pdf) |
While the reauthorization of the bill is not in doubt, the changing nature of the disease has led to shifting needs among at-risk populations. Newly infected people are increasingly likely to be poor, to be members of a minority community and to have inadequate access to health care. And, while the majority of AIDS cases are still in urban areas, more and more people in rural areas, particularly in the South, are being infected.
Without increased funding, treatment/care could be denied to some of those currently in treatment. And as the disease continues to spread into new populations and new regions across the United States -- an estimated 40,000 new infections occur each year -- the demand for life-saving treatments will continue to increase.
Currently two reauthorization bills have been introduced in Congress and the White House has released its own principles for reauthorization. Inevitably, each of these documents contain different provisions for reauthorization -- hence, the bill is currently in conference committee awaiting reconciliation and ultimately reauthorization of one comprehensive bill. The Kaiser Family Foundation has created a side-by-side comparison of the current law to key provisions in the Administration's reauthorization principles and the two bills that have been introduced in congress. The document can be accessed here:
The NAACP supports the prompt reauthorization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act to ensure access to healthcare and prescription drugs for millions of uninsured and underinsured patients nationally.
The NAACP calls upon the U.S. Congress to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act with the following provisions to the reauthorization:
NAACP National Health Coordinator, 410.580.5685
NAACP Washington Bureau Director, Hilary Shelton, 202-463-2950, hshelton@naacpnet.org
Press Contact: NAACP Communications Dept.; 410.580.5127
NAACP National Headquarters
4805 Mt. Hope Drive
Baltimore MD 21215
Toll Free:
(877) NAACP-98
Local:
(410) 580-5777
© 2008 NAACP
All Rights Reserved
