Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act (RWCA)
The Ryan White CARE Act was first authorized in 1990, amended and reauthorized in 1996 and again in 2000. RWCA is intended to be the payer of last resort for low-income, uninsured and underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS and their families. Ryan White CARE services are essential to increasing access and quality of care for racial and ethnic minorities, including Asians and Pacific Islanders living with HIV/AIDS. Asians and Pacific Islanders have high rates of being uninsured and underinsured which compromises their connections to the health care system.
The administration signaled its intention to push for reauthorization of the program during President Bush’s State of the Union address and more recently with Secretary Leavitt’s press release of the President’s principles for reauthorization. Legislation has yet to be drafted; however, APIAHF and many other AIDS service organizations have expressed concern with the administration’s principles. The administration’s proposal to serve those “most in need” (as determined by the administration), may result in a reallocation of dollars away from urban areas to rural areas. Asian Americans and Pacific Islanders are concentrated in urban areas. APIAHF advocates for increased funding to meet the growing needs in all parts of the country instead of shifting funds away from urban centers. To read our statement, go to www.apiahf.org
The House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over RWCA, wants to move NIH reauthorization legislation prior to taking up the CARE Act. However, NIH reauthorization could take a considerable amount of time due to the complexities and expanse of issues related to our nation's premier research institution. This is also one of the House committees that is tasked with finding cuts in the Medicaid program, which are expected to be submitted to the House Budget Committee in September. The National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) maintains regular updates on the reauthorization process on its website http://nastad.org/reauth_watch.asp
