[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 125 (Friday, September 29, 2006)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1948]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




        RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT MODERNIZATION ACT OF 2006

                                 ______
                                 

                               speech of

                           HON. NITA M. LOWEY

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Thursday, September 28, 2006

  Mrs. LOWEY. Mr. Speaker, I rise in reluctant opposition to the Ryan 
White Treatment Modernization Act.
  Like many of my colleagues in the New York delegation, I strongly 
support the Ryan White CARE Act and have supported its reauthorization 
in the past. These programs provide lifesaving medical care, drug 
treatment, and support services to over 535,000 low-income people 
living with HIV/AIDS throughout the nation.
  Westchester County, in my congressional district has the highest 
number of persons living with HIV or AIDS of any New York State county 
outside of New York City. The services provided under the Ryan White 
CARE Act literally mean the difference between life and death for my 
constituents living with this devastating disease.
  Unfortunately, the bill before us today will jeopardize these 
services for my constituents and countless other Americans in states 
that are at the epicenter of this crisis.
  Under this bill, New York State stands to lose more than $78 million 
over four years.
  Despite what some say, the AIDS epidemic has not shifted--it has 
expanded. It simply makes no sense to pit regions of the country 
against each other by providing vitally needed services to one region 
at the expense of another.
  My colleagues, rushing a bill through the House that will negatively 
impact the lives of so many individuals living with HIV and AIDS makes 
no sense. I am a cosponsor of legislation, H.R. 6191, that would 
temporarily reauthorize the program for one year to allow Congress to 
continue to negotiate a compromise that would not unfairly result in 
drastically reduced funds for any state.
  I urge the House leadership to immediately consider H.R. 6191 and 
urge my colleagues to vote against the bill before us.

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