Date: Thursday, Feb. 27, 1997
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: HRSA Press Office(301)443-3376

HHS Awards Nearly $202 Million for HIV/AIDS Care

Health and Human Services Secretary Donna E. Shalala today announced the award of nearly $202 million to 49 eligible metropolitan areas (EMAs) with a high incidence of HIV/AIDS to provide primary health care and support services to low-income, uninsured and underinsured individuals and families affected by the disease.

Funded under Title I of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, the awards supplement $227.7 million in formula grants to the same 49 EMAs in November 1996 and provide a wide range of ambulatory health and support services, including primary health care, case management, housing and transportation assistance, respite care, and substance abuse and mental health services, as well as inpatient case management services to expedite discharge and prevent unnecessary hospitalization.

"These new funds boost the ability of heavily impacted communities to give people with HIV/AIDS the range of essential health care and support services they need to live better, longer lives," said Secretary Shalala. "CARE Act funds are a major element in the Clinton administration's stand against the HIV/AIDS health care crisis in communities across America."

The Ryan White CARE Act is administered by HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). HRSA Administrator Ciro V. Sumaya, M.D., M.P.H.T.M., said, "These awards help bridge the gap that communities experience in providing services to people with HIV/AIDS who are without other resources. As medical research offers new hope in the fight against HIV/AIDS, the CARE Act program gives communities the funds to make hope a reality."

To be eligible for Title I funding, an EMA must have a population of at least 500,000 and have reported more than 2,000 AIDS cases in the preceding five years, except for previously-funded EMAs. More than $1.4 billion has been awarded in formula and supplemental grants under Title I since the CARE Act was first funded in FY 1991, including $372 million in FY 1996, and $429.3 million in FY 1997. The number of EMAs funded under Title I has grown from 16 in FY 1991 to 49 in FY 1997. An estimated 300,000 people received services from Title I grantees in 1995, the most recent year of reported data.

A list of the 49 EMAs and their grants is below.

Note: HHS press releases are available on the World Wide Web at: http://www.hhs.gov.

FY 1997 Ryan White CARE Act Title I Emergency Relief Supplemental Grants