[Page: H8895]---
The SPEAKER pro tempore (Mr. QUINN). Under a previous order of the House, the gentlewoman from Texas (Ms. JACKSON-LEE) is recognized for 5 minutes.
Ms. JACKSON-LEE of Texas. Mr. Speaker, it is my pleasure to be able to rise and support S. 2311, the reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act. This legislation needed to come to the floor before the end of the 106th Congress. It is imperative that we continue the fight for treatment dollars to deal with those who are HIV infected and those who are affected.
Thanks to the efforts of collaboration, this legislation provides a funding formula that will actually ensure that all Americans suffering from this devastating disease are properly covered. In particular, it will work to enhance some of the devastated areas in African-American areas and Hispanic areas to provide resources for those communities.
The legislation maintains the integrity of the multi-structure of the CARE Act, allowing funds to be targeted to the areas hardest hit by the HIV and AIDS epidemic. In addition, I am pleased that the legislation maintains and, in fact, strengthens the decision-making authority of local planning councils and allows resources to be used to locate and bring more individuals into the health care system.
I am also delighted to learn that the bill will provide more individuals with early intervention services, such as counseling and testing. This is particularly important in the 18th Congressional District, where many faith-based organizations, nonprofits, are now realizing the importance of education and prevention and speaking the cultural language of the different unique communities that need to understand the dangers of not having knowledge about HIV and AIDS.
This bill, that I have supported in years past and am delighted to extend my support, extends Medicare coverage to people living with HIV. Under this legislation adopted now, States will have the ability to add poor and low-income uninsured persons living with HIV to the list of persons categorically eligible for Medicaid.
This is very important for people in the 18th Congressional District here in Houston for getting proper coverage, and it is very critical that they receive the kind of quality care that is necessary. There are HIV-infected persons in my district and across America that need some relief immediately, and thus the Medicaid provision is imperative.
Under current rules, most people living with HIV are ineligible for Medicaid until they have progressed to AIDS and are disabled. We wanted to engage individuals who are infected so they can have the proper care and treatment. We know with the new health care revolutions and the new drug treatments that have come about, it is very important to have early intervention so that these individuals can live full, active lives. New treatments, such as the highly active heart therapy, are successfully delaying the progression of HIV progression to AIDS.
Mr. Speaker, this is very exciting. We can turn this situation around. Early access to HIV treatment is imperative. I remember coming to this Congress in the early 1990s or in 1990 as a local elected official to join with Senator KENNEDY as he introduced the Ryan White treatment dollars.
This reauthorization is a testimony that it works, that treatment works, and now we must focus on prevention. I believe the legislation must be signed by the President. The formula will add to people's lives; it will in fact save lives. I am very delighted to support this legislation, and I look forward to it being signed by the President so that it can save lives, not only in Texas and in my district, but throughout this Nation, as we continue to fight the AIDS epidemic throughout the world.
END