[Congressional Record Volume 152, Number 135 (Friday, December 8, 2006)]
[Senate]
[Page S11723]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




          THE RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT MODERNIZATION ACT

 Mr. DODD. Mr. President, I rise today to recognize the 
Senate's unanimous passage of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment 
Modernization Act earlier this week. It has been 25 years since the 
first AIDS diagnosis in the United States. At present, approximately 
40,000 Americans are newly infected with this disease each year, and 
more than half of those diagnoses are in people under age 25. This is a 
disease that has taken its toll on millions of individuals and 
families, but as a result of combined Federal, State and local efforts 
to support individuals living with this disease as well as advances in 
treatment options, many Americans living with HIV/AIDS continue to have 
thriving, productive lives.
  Since 1990, when the Ryan White CARE Act was first authorized, we 
have made incredible strides in treating and caring for individuals in 
the United States affected by HIV/AIDS. The number of new infections 
each year has dropped from more than 100,000 in 1990 to approximately 
40,000 today. Mother-to-child transmission has dropped from 2,000 to 
fewer than 200 cases annually. Life expectancy for those with the 
disease has increased by almost 20 years. In fact, more people are now 
living with AIDS in the United States than at any other time in the 
epidemic.
  The Ryan White CARE Act is at least partially responsible for these 
successes. But there is much more work to be done. It is estimated that 
more than a quarter of those infected with HIV do not know it, and many 
who do know it still do not have access to needed care and services. 
And HIV/AIDS disproportionately affects the poor and minorities. 
African Americans account for up to 54 percent of new HIV infections 
and Latinos account for 19 percent of new infections, though they 
account for only approximately 12 percent and 13 percent of the U.S. 
population, respectively. Hispanic and African-American women account 
for 82 percent of new infections among females in the United States.
  For many years I have been particularly concerned about the impact 
this disease has on children and families. Last year, Senator Bond and 
I introduced legislation to reauthorize and strengthen title IV of the 
Ryan White CARE Act. For those who are unfamiliar with title IV, it 
provides grants for coordinated care, services, and research for women, 
infants, children, and youth. The programs and services funded by title 
IV have kept families alive and together. For example, title IV 
projects have led the way toward reducing mother-to-child transmission 
from more than 2,000 babies born HIV-positive each year to fewer than 
200. In my home State of Connecticut, a total of 213 babies have been 
born to HIV-positive mothers since 2002. Of that total, only one baby 
has been confirmed as HIV-positive.
  The bill passed earlier this week by the Senate contains many 
significant improvements to title IV that were part of the legislation 
Senator Bond and I introduced. I believe those changes will improve the 
treatment and services for women, families, and youth provided under 
the Ryan White CARE Act. However, I am deeply disappointed in the 
authorization level for title IV contained in the bill. All other 
titles of this bill authorize increases in funding except title IV, 
which is flat funded. I pushed hard to secure a comparable increase for 
title IV, and although I am disappointed with the final outcome, I 
realize this is an authorization bill, not an appropriations bill, and 
I will work to secure increased funding for this critical title.
  Unfortunately, it appears that the 109th Congress will come to a 
close without the House and Senate having passed a Labor-HHS-Education 
appropriations bill for fiscal year 2007. It is a failure on the part 
of the leaders in the House and Senate that we did not debate this bill 
and have an opportunity to increase funding for the Ryan White CARE 
Act. As we look to the next Congress, I urge my colleagues and the 
whole advocacy community to join me in fighting for providing adequate 
funding for this program.
  I believe that the bill passed unanimously in the Senate is a fair 
compromise which stabilizes funding for cities and States and urban and 
rural areas for the next 3 years. Without this legislation, 17 States--
including Connecticut--and the District of Columbia stand to lose 
millions of dollars next year. This legislation is now before the House 
of Representatives. It is my hope that the house will act quickly to 
pass this legislation so that these States and the District do not 
experience a disruption in critical care and treatment services for 
people living with HIV/AIDS.
  In closing, I want to commend the hard work of the members and their 
staff in both Chambers who developed this bipartisan, bicameral 
compromise bill over the past 2 years. In particular, I would like to 
recognize Connie Garner with Senator Kennedy and Shana Christrup with 
Senator Enzi who worked tirelessly to incorporate the priorities of 
many offices. I would also like to thank the many public health 
advocacy organizations who contributed to the development of this 
legislation.

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