Rep. Matsui Votes to Extend Ryan White Program

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Wednesday, October 21, 2009

CONTACT: Mara Lee
(202) 225-7163

"Today, we have taken an important step in sustaining a critical safety net that has provided care and treatment to some of our nation's most vulnerable populations. Many HIV/AIDS patients struggle everyday to get access to the quality care they need and deserve. Federal investment in HIV/AIDS treatment and care is essential to prevent the spread of this epidemic. The Ryan White Extension Act reiterates this Congress's commitment to the health and wellness of all Americans."

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 would reauthorize the program through September 30, 2013. It also includes provisions that will:

andbull; Increase authorizations for all Parts of the program by 5% for each year of the authorization;
andbull; Extend protections for states with maturing HIV data;
andbull; Provide hold-harmless protections to states and cities; and
andbull; Strengthen and continue the Minority AIDS Initiative, and direct the Department of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for capacity-building through the Initiative across all departmental agencies.