HHS awards $1.7 billion in Ryan White grants

The Department of Health and Human Services on Wednesday issued 174 Ryan White grants totaling about $1.7 billion for care and support programs for low-income HIV-positive Americans, according to an HHS press release. The grants include funding for the nation's AIDS Drug Assistance Programs and the Minority AIDS Initiative as well as support for organizations providing HIV testing, counseling, referral, and clinical care. "These grants continue our domestic commitment to caring for Americans who are living with HIV/AIDS," said HHS secretary Mike Leavitt in the press release. "The states, territories, and cities will use these funds to provide people living with HIV/AIDS the health care services, medications, and counseling they need to live longer, healthier lives." Ryan White-funded programs provide services to about 571,000 people each year, according to HHS.