[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 155 (2009), Part 19]
[House]
[Page 25815]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]




                             RYAN WHITE ACT

  The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the 
gentlewoman from Florida (Ms. Ros-Lehtinen) is recognized for 5 
minutes.
  Ms. ROS-LEHTINEN. Mr. Speaker, I am so proud to represent one of the 
most beautiful, most diverse regions in our country, south Florida. 
Sadly, though, our local paradise, well known for its sunny weather, 
its world-class beaches, its artistic style, also is one of the areas 
hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic. We are continually confronted 
with the challenge of providing adequate and timely treatment to those 
impacted by this terrible disease.
  The number of people suffering from HIV/AIDS in south Florida has 
increased immensely over the past few years. We have over 32,000 people 
currently diagnosed in my home county of Miami-Dade, and it ranks 
second among large metropolitan areas for people living with AIDS. On 
top of this, Florida ranks third in the Nation on the number of AIDS 
cases. These individuals need our assistance in fighting this terrible 
disease.
  There are wonderful programs designed to mitigate the terrible 
consequences of HIV/AIDS. One of the most innovative, one of the most 
effective is the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Program. This program 
funds HIV/AIDS treatment for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured 
people. Ryan White provides funding to cities, to States, as well as 
directly to select clinics and care providers for core medical and 
support services.
  In 2009, my home State of Florida received over $209 million in 
funding through Ryan White to assist countless low-income Americans 
living with HIV/AIDS. This life-saving program was set to expire this 
month. Thankfully, Mr. Speaker, this amazing program was granted a 3-
year extension through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act, 
and I thank my colleagues for this.
  With strong bipartisan support, this bill was overwhelmingly 
approved. I voted for and the House passed this legislation, and we 
should all be proud of that. Passage assures the continuity of this 
vital program. It will allow us to help States, communities, and 
families cope with the impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic while creating a 
support system for those dealing with the disease.
  I am constantly working to improve the quality and the availability 
of care for persons with HIV/AIDS and their families and their support 
system. It is my mission to promote awareness and education so that 
each day we can help assure that fewer people will be afflicted with 
this disease.
  I have seen firsthand the impact this disease has had on so many 
individual lives and families in my community, and I know that 
extending this important program is not just a priority, but a 
necessity.
  The Ryan White program is the largest federally funded program in the 
United States for people living with HIV/AIDS. It has been the largest 
supplier of services for those living with HIV/AIDS in the United 
States as well.
  As a payer of last resort, the Ryan White Act offers a method of 
payment for treatment unlike Medicare or Medicaid. In the United 
States, over 500,000 people a year benefit from the Ryan White program. 
I know that through the extension of Ryan White, we can--indeed, we 
will--save and improve the lives of countless individuals in my 
congressional district and throughout our great country of the United 
States of America.

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