[Public Papers of the Presidents of the United States: WILLIAM J. CLINTON (2000-2001, Book III)]
[October 20, 2000]
[Pages 2236-2237]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office www.gpo.gov]



[[Page 2236]]


Statement on Signing the Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000
October 20, 2000

    Ten years ago, shortly after Ryan White's death, the Congress chose 
to build a legacy in his memory. As a young man, Ryan White changed the 
world, and so has the program that bears his name. Today I am pleased to 
sign into law S. 2311, the ``Ryan White CARE Act Amendments of 2000,'' 
which reauthorizes and expands health care and essential support 
services to hundreds of thousands of Americans living with HIV and AIDS.
    The reauthorization of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources 
Emergency (CARE) Act is the cornerstone of my Administration's domestic 
HIV and AIDS care and treatment effort, and one of its top legislative 
priorities. The broad-based bipartisan support in the Congress for the 
reauthorization of this vital program sends a clear and strong message 
that together we can bring care and compassion to our fellow citizens 
living with HIV and AIDS. I am pleased that during my Administration, 
funding for the CARE Act program has increased over 300 percent. For 
fiscal year 2001, this landmark program will receive more than $1.7 
billion.
    Today, the CARE Act has become a model for health care delivery not 
only in the United States, but around the world. It is a shining example 
of the good that can come from collaboration, coordination, and 
concerted action. The CARE Act has brought together Republicans and 
Democrats, cities and States, hospitals and community-based 
organizations, providers, and people living with AIDS--and the results 
are a tribute to the power of public-private partnerships. It has 
created a continuum of care that is both compassionate and cost-
effective--one that saves both lives and money.
    When the CARE Act was originally created, we were sadly unable to do 
much for those who were sick, and many of the services provided were 
designed to help people die with dignity. Thankfully, much has changed. 
The CARE Act is now solidly about living with HIV and AIDS. Since its 
last reauthorization, biomedical research has brought hope and renewed 
optimism with the discovery of protease inhibitors and combination 
therapies. The CARE Act has made the promise of biomedical research a 
reality in the lives of people living with HIV and AIDS in every corner 
of this country.
    Last year alone, approximately one hundred thousand people living 
with HIV and AIDS received access to drug therapy because of the CARE 
Act. This is particularly important given that half of the people served 
by the CARE Act have family incomes of less than $10,000 a year--and the 
new drug ``cocktails'' cost more than $12,000 annually. We know all too 
well that the drugs are not enough. Primary care and support services 
are vital to ensuring both access and adherence to these complex drug 
regimens. It is this comprehensive package of essential services that 
the CARE Act provides--and with impressive results.
    The CARE Act has helped to reduce both the frequency and length of 
expensive in- patient hospitalizations, lowered AIDS mortality, reduced 
mother-to-child transmission, and enhanced both the length and quality 
of life for people living with AIDS. The Act has also provided a 
mainstay of essential health and related support services to individuals 
living with HIV disease and their families--crucial services in our 
progress against this relentless disease.
    The CARE Act also serves those most in need. Nearly six out of every 
10 people served by the CARE Act are poor. They are also 5 times more 
likely to be uninsured than those receiving care elsewhere; nearly 3 
times more likely to be African Americans; and 50 percent more likely to 
be women. Clearly the CARE Act has followed the path paved by this 
epidemic--but challenges remain as HIV and AIDS move deeper into 
underserved communities already plagued by poverty, homelessness, and 
substance abuse, and as treatment demands and costs continue to rise. It 
is these challenges that the reauthorization of the CARE Act is designed 
to address.
    S. 2311 will continue the tradition of locally defined care and 
treatment that are the mainstay of the original CARE Act. It will also 
improve the programs of the CARE Act in several ways my Administration 
recommended, including: (1) expanding access to essential care for 
historically underserved individuals, including racial and

[[Page 2237]]

ethnic minorities, women, and youth; (2) establishing a stronger link 
between HIV prevention, diagnosis, and treatment efforts to make sure 
people get the care they need once they learn they are HIV positive; (3) 
improving the quality of care to make sure all people with HIV get 
state-of-the-art treatment; and (4) reducing existing barriers within 
the AIDS Drug Assistance Program to ensure that more people living with 
HIV disease have access to lifesaving therapeutics.
    I want to thank some individuals in my Administration, the Congress, 
and perhaps most importantly, the AIDS community for their tireless 
efforts and determination in guiding this bill to enactment. We all owe 
thanks to Secretary of Health and Human Services, Donna 
Shalala; the Surgeon General, Dr. David 
Satcher; Drs. Earl Fox and Joseph O'Neill of the 
Health Resources and Services Administration; and Sandy 
Thurman, Director of our White House AIDS 
Office. In addition, this bill clearly would not have become law without 
the dedication of Senators Kennedy, 
Jeffords, and Frist 
and Representatives Waxman and 
Coburn. Finally, I am particularly grateful 
for the assistance of the many and varied organizations who came 
together to extend this legacy of care and compassion for individuals 
and families living with HIV disease.
    HIV and AIDS have touched communities in each and every State across 
this country. In big cities and rural towns, the disease continues to 
devastate individuals, families, and communities, leaving them 
impoverished, suffering, and in dire need of medical care and support. 
We hope that in the not-so-distant future we will have even better 
therapies and someday an effective vaccine. But in the meantime, we are 
grateful for the CARE Act, which, through its essential services, has 
allowed individuals to live longer and healthier lives. The programs 
contained in this bill are literally a lifeline for individuals with HIV 
disease. For this reason, I am extremely pleased to sign S. 2311.

                                                      William J. Clinton

 The White House,

 October 20, 2000.

Note: S. 2311, approved October 20, was assigned Public Law No. 106-345.