Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment
Extension Act of 2009 Passes

Washington, D.C. -- The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act of 2009 was passed by the House of Representatives today and passed the Senate Monday. President Obama is expected to sign the legislation into law by the end of the month. The bill contains key improvements advocated by the HIV/AIDS community. This act continues Ryan White programs and services for four more years, through 2013. Ryan White programs provide critical life-saving medical and support services for uninsured and underinsured Americans living with HIV/AIDS. 

"We are very appreciative of the bipartisan efforts of the House Energy and Commerce Committee and the Senate Health Education, Labor and Pensions Committee in moving on this bill in a comprehensive manner, in light of all of the other demands on them over these past few months," said Carole Treston, Executive Director of AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families. "We especially want to acknowledge how Congressional leaders and their staffs have worked with the HIV advocacy community to ensure that this legislation is responsive to the needs of individuals and communities that continue to struggle with HIV/AIDS. A four year extension is important because it will give us an opportunity to understand the impact of health care reform and a National HIV/AIDS strategy on the populations that Ryan White programs serve."

The Extension specifically highlights the growing need for CARE Act services by calling for a 5% increase in authorization levels for all parts of the Act.  It creates new incentives to find new cases of HIV infection and link people living with HIV/AIDS to care.

"While we are thrilled that a four year extension is within our grasp, we must continue to work with Congress and the Administration to ensure appropriate funding levels for 2010 and the next three years for all components of HIV care, prevention and research in order to reduce new infections and identify persons with HIV and provide them the best treatments available," Treston commented.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program was originally co-sponsored in 1990 by Senator Ted Kennedy and others and since reauthorized three times. The program is vital to the health and well being of over 500,000 people living with HIV and AIDS in the United States who receive medical treatment, life-saving drugs and support services critical to maintaining them in care.

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Founded in 1994, AACYF is a national non-profit organization whose mission is to advance the partnership between consumers and providers – we are the voice of women, children, youth and families living with and affected by HIV/AIDS.  AACYF works to enhance and expand access to quality, comprehensive, family-centered care to America's children, youth and families affected by HIV/AIDS, as it represents the nation's network of over 650 Ryan White Part D funded community-based organizations.  Part D programs serve over 53,000 HIV-affected women, children, youth and families through sites located in 35 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, and the U.S. Virgin Islands.