HHS Awards $24.1 Million to Help Women, Children and Families Obtain HIV/AIDS Care and Services

HHS Secretary Tommy G. Thompson announced 35 new grants totaling $24.1 million to help America's children, youth and women with HIV/AIDS and their affected families obtain comprehensive HIV/AIDS care and services.

"We have made tremendous advances in reducing mother-to-child transmission of HIV," Thompson said. "However, the number of women contracting HIV continues to grow, especially in racial and ethnic minority communities. These grants will help ensure that care is available where needed for these women and their families."

Grants are awarded under Title IV of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act. Title IV programs specifically address the needs of women, children, youth and families by providing care that deals with the entire family. This includes primary and specialty medical care, psychosocial services, logistical support and coordination, and outreach and case management. Programs also are designed to increase access to clinical trials and research.

"Experience tells us that HIV is not the only challenge many of our clients face: poor housing, lack of transportation and child care, non-HIV related illnesses, all intensify the need for services," said Elizabeth M. Duke, PhD, administrator of HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). "These grants help build a comprehensive healthcare system for our clients rather than a disjointed array of providers and services."

HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau administers CARE Act programs. Since fiscal year 2001, the Bush administration has spent more than $7.7 billion in CARE Act funding to help some 530,000 individuals access life-sustaining care and services each year. President Bush has requested nearly $2.1 billion in fiscal year 2005 for the CARE Act, an increase of more than $270 million since 2001.

Source: HHS