[Congressional Record Volume 146, Number 127 (Thursday, October 12, 2000)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1752]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                 RYAN WHITE CARE ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2000

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                          HON. KAREN McCARTHY

                              of missouri

                    in the house of representatives

                       Tuesday, October 10, 2000

  Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support 
and as a co-sponsor of the Ryan White CARE Act, which is a life-saving 
piece of legislation. Persons with HIV/AIDS deserve the medical support 
services provided through the grants and programs included in this 
measure. Although the rate of HIV infection per year is decreasing in 
America, there are still over 40,000 new infections per year. We must 
continue our national efforts to prevent future transmissions and 
improve the quality of life for those living with AIDS.
  To date, the Ryan White Care Act has helped provide the latest drug 
therapy to more than 100,000 poor people, reduced AIDS mortality by 
seventy percent, and decreased mother-to-child transmission of HIV by 
seventy percent. It is clear that this legislation is successful, and I 
believe the measure before us strengthens our national assault on this 
disease.
  My home state of Missouri received over $15 million dollars for FY 
1998 under the Ryan White CARE Act. These funds have helped those 
living with HIV or AIDS, through investments in medication and vital 
support services. The legislation before us today contains a provision 
on partner notification, which I believe is essential to decreasing the 
spread of HIV and reducing the transmission of all sexually transmitted 
diseases. I am concerned with the racial disparities in the incidence 
of HIV infection in Missouri, and specifically in Kansas City. This 
measure will hopefully make strides in reducing the incidence of HIV in 
both minority communities as well as among women and youth, who are 
especially vulnerable.
  Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in full support of 
passage of the Ryan White CARE Act. Our support sends a message that 
HIV/AIDS is a fully recognized public health problem, and has our 
commitment to protect all vulnerable persons from this devastating 
disease.

                          ____________________