[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 151 (2005), Part 16]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page 22081]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                        THE RYAN WHITE CARE ACT

                                 ______
                                 

                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Monday, October 3, 2005

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, the Ryan White Care Act has played a 
significant role in the decline of HIV/AIDS cases and deaths. The care 
act is of utmost importance to the poor and uninsured because it is the 
primary means by which many receive health services.
  Congress must act swiftly to reauthorize and strengthen the care act 
and I implore Congress to do so on behalf of persons living with HIV/
AIDS in our Nation, the State of New York and the 10th Congressional 
District of Brooklyn in particular.
  New York City remains the epicenter of the HIV/AIDS epidemic 
nationally. According to the HIV Health and Human Services Planning 
Council of New York, an estimated 92,000 New Yorkers are known to be 
living with HIV or AIDS and approximately 25,000 individuals are living 
with HIV but are not diagnosed.
  While the reauthorization principles released by the Administration 
are a start, more must be done to ensure that health care and treatment 
is provided for New Yorkers and all people in need.
  In urban, rural, and suburban communities in every State and 
territory, the Ryan White Care Act delivers medical care, prescription 
drugs, and key support services to uninsured and underinsured people 
living with HIV/AIDS. Still, there are far too many people without 
access to quality HIV/AIDS care because of limited resources.
  Today, I strongly urge Congress to work together to reauthorize and 
adequately fund the Ryan Care Act in a timely manner, with the goal of 
improving the lives of all people living with HIV/AIDS.

                          ____________________