[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 25275]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




              RYAN WHITE HIV/AIDS TREATMENT EXTENSION ACT

  (Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ asked and was given permission to address the 
House for 1 minute and to revise and extend her remarks.)
  Ms. WASSERMAN SCHULTZ. Madam Speaker, I rise in strong support of the 
Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act.
  The Ryan White Act is lifesaving legislation that funds a vast array 
of innovative and effective services that form the health care safety 
net for uninsured and underinsured Americans living with HIV/AIDS. Ryan 
White programs are a ``payer of last resort'' which subsidize treatment 
when no other resources are available.
  The program provides medical care, drugs, and support services for 
500,000 people a year. It has been a huge success in reducing sickness 
and death from HIV disease and helping people live longer, more healthy 
and productive lives.
  The Ryan White programs also provide funding and technical assistance 
to local and State primary medical care providers, support services, 
health care providers, and training programs. Congress must extend this 
critical law to ensure that vital services are not withheld from people 
who so desperately need them.
  We must pass this legislation so that Ryan's legacy lives on with his 
message of love, compassion, and hope.

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