Congresswoman Louise M. Slaughter (D-NY) touted the passage of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act.  The bill passed by a vote of 408-9, and reauthorizes the Ryan White program for four years authoring the continuation of federal money coming to the Rochester area to combat HIV/AIDS.

“This program has been serving Americans living with HIV/AIDS for nearly 20 years. The Ryan White program has provided assistance to local organizations in Western New York committed to fighting this terrible disease and providing primary care to those in need of help,” said Slaughter.

Ryan White became a national figure and spokesperson bringing attention to HIV/AIDS after he was expelled from school simply for having the virus. In 1990, the Ryan White CARE Act was enacted in his honor and has been reauthorized 3 times, most recently in 2006.

In total, the Buffalo and Rochester areas have received over $1.5 million in active grants including:

Part C-Community Based Early Intervention

The bill increases the authorization of the Early Intervention Program (Part C of Ryan White) by 5 percent a year over the next four years – increasing it to $247 million in FY 2010, $259 million in FY 2011, $272 million in FY 2012, and $286 million in FY 2013. This program provides grants to public and non-public entities to pay for community-based programs that provide comprehensive primary care services intended to prevent or reduce HIV-related deaths. The measure requires that grantees provide counseling and information about hepatitis A, B, and C. It also requires them to develop an electronic information system to improve the ability to report data.

Community Health Network, Inc.
Rochester
$647,917.00

Erie County Medical Center
Buffalo
$793,117.00

Part F-Special Projects of National Significance

Special Projects of National Significance grants fund innovative models of care and support for underserved populations living with HIV/AIDS.

Men of Color Health Awareness Project
Rochester
$244,538.00