Van Hollen Statement On The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act

Press Release

Van Hollen Statement On The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act

Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of this legislation reauthorizing the Ryan White CARE Act. I want to commend Chairmen Waxman and Pallone as well as Ranking Members Barton and Deal for working in a bipartisan and bicameral fashion in bringing this bill before the House today.

For over two decades, the Ryan White program has been serving people living with HIV and AIDS. It provides medical care, treatment and support services to more than half a million people each year. As a result of this vital and important program, we have some of the best HIV and AIDS treatment programs in the world. Without this critical safety net, several of our nation's most vulnerable populations would not have access or receive the care and treatment they desperately need.

Maryland is one of the states hardest hit by the HIV epidemic. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, it has the fifth highest estimated rate of living AIDS cases per 100,000 people. Approximately 28,000 Marylanders live with HIV. I am pleased that the legislation continues the current extended exemption policy for two years for those states with maturing names-based HIV case data, such as Maryland, that recently made the transition from the code-based system in determining how much Ryan White funding states receive.

Unfortunately, the Ryan White program was scheduled to sunset on September 30. It is now operating under a short-term extension. It is critical that Congress reauthorizes the Ryan White Program so that we can continue to provide necessary and life-saving services to those affected with HIV and AIDS. I urge my colleagues to support the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act.

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