[Congressional Record Volume 142, Number 58 (Wednesday, May 1, 1996)]
[House]
[Pages H4366-H4367]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                  RYAN WHITE CARE ACT REAUTHORIZATION

  (Ms. PELOSI asked and was granted permission to address the House for 
1 minute.)
  Ms. PELOSI. Mr. Speaker, I rise in support of the Ryan White Care Act 
reauthorization conference report. This legislation is needed to 
continue the vital services provided under the Ryan White Program. I 
commend the conferees for their hard work in reaching agreements on 
many difficult issues.
  The final agreement revises formulas for distribution of funds for 
the emergency assistance program for cities and for the grants to 
States for AIDS-related health care. The conferees have balanced their 
approach to maximize fairness to all involved.

[[Page H4367]]

  With regard to the newborn testing issues, the conferees have 
endorsed the CDC guidelines which emphasize voluntary testing and 
provided authorization for an outreach program to encourage voluntary 
testing of pregnant women. This would allow these women to take 
advantage of the latest treatments available to prevent the 
transmission of HIV to their babies. I am pleased that the conferees 
have managed to avoid approaches which may have driven many pregnant 
women away from medical care.
  This authorization bill also allows for an orderly distribution of 
funds to States for new drugs recently approved by the FDA to improve 
longevity and quality of life for people with AIDS. Last week, Congress 
approved President Clinton's request for an emergency supplemental 
appropriation of $52 million for this important AIDS Drug Assistance 
Program [ADAP]. Now these funds can be more fairly distributed to the 
States.
  Again, I commend Chairman Bilirakis and Mr. Waxman, as well as the 
other conferees, for their hard work in reaching agreement on these 
important provisions. The bill--and the 17-percent increase in funding 
provided in the appropriations bill--bring hope to people with AIDS, 
their caregivers, and their loved ones.

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