RYAN WHITE CARE ACT AMENDMENTS OF 2000 -- (Extensions of Remarks - October 12, 2000)

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SPEECH OF HON. KAREN McCARTHY

OF MISSOURI IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES Tuesday, October 10, 2000

Ms. McCARTHY of Missouri. Mr. Speaker, I rise today in strong support and as a co-sponsor of the Ryan White CARE Act, which is a life-saving piece of legislation. Persons with HIV/AIDS deserve the medical support services provided through the grants and programs included in this measure. Although the rate of HIV infection per year is decreasing in America, there are still over 40,000 new infections per year. We must continue our national efforts to prevent future transmissions and improve the quality of life for those living with AIDS.

To date, the Ryan White Care Act has helped provide the latest drug therapy to more than 100,000 poor people, reduced AIDS mortality by seventy percent, and decreased mother-to-child transmission of HIV by seventy percent. It is clear that this legislation is successful, and I believe the measure before us strengthens our national assault on this disease.

My home state of Missouri received over $15 million dollars for FY 1998 under the Ryan White CARE Act. These funds have helped those living with HIV or AIDS, through investments in medication and vital support services. The legislation before us today contains a provision on partner notification, which I believe is essential to decreasing the spread of HIV and reducing the transmission of all sexually transmitted diseases. I am concerned with the racial disparities in the incidence of HIV infection in Missouri, and specifically in Kansas City. This measure will hopefully make strides in reducing the incidence of HIV in both minority communities as well as among women and youth, who are especially vulnerable.

Mr. Speaker, I urge my colleagues to join me in full support of passage of the Ryan White CARE Act. Our support sends a message that HIV/AIDS is a fully recognized public health problem, and has our commitment to protect all vulnerable persons from this devastating disease.
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