Hhs Awards More Than $1 Billion To States For Hiv/Aids Care
The Department of Health and Human services has released more than $1 billion in grants to states and territories to provide medical care, support services and prescription drugs for people living with HIV/AIDS.
The 2004 awards include $285 million in basic awards based on the number of people living with AIDS in each state or territory and $728 million for the purchase of medications through state-run AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAPs).
In addition, the award includes $7 million under the Minority AIDS Initiative and $10 million for states with “emerging communities” — metropolitan areas with significant populations of people living with AIDS.
An additional $21 million in grants for the Supplemental Drug Treatment Program will be awarded later. The grants are funded under Title II of the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act.
Title II grants are awarded to every state, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, Guam, the Virgin Islands, American Samoa, Federated States of Micronesia, Marshall Islands, Northern Mariana Islands, and Republic of Palau.
Basic grants are awarded based on the estimated number of people living with AIDS in a state or territory. Since fiscal year 1996, separate funds have been earmarked under Title II to help state ADAPs buy pharmaceuticals for people living with HIV/AIDS. States also may designate a portion of their Title II basic allotment to support ADAPs.
The Minority AIDS Initiative (MAI) award is based on the number of minorities living with HIV/AIDS in the area over a two-year period. The emerging communities funds go to metropolitan areas that report between 500 and 1,999 cases of AIDS but did not receive Title I grants awarded last month. (A list of the Title I grantees is available at http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2004pres/20040301a.html). Emerging communities funds are used to bolster HIV-related health care and services for these individuals.