Senate committee
begins work on Ryan White reauthorization

The Senate Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee on Wednesday began work on a bill to reauthorize the federal Ryan White CARE Act, which provides federal funds for HIV treatment and support programs. The draft reauthorization bill before the committee contains several key changes for the program, including a requirement that 75% of Ryan White funds be spent on direct medical care and a revision of funding formulas to focus on the number of HIV cases in a particular region instead of the cumulative number of AIDS cases. Other provisions in the bill would create a tier funding system for urban areas and a requirement that any state's unused Ryan White funds be funneled back into the federal AIDS Drug Assistance Program. Congressional sources say it is likely several amendments and other changes to the bill will be made during the committee's markup of the measure. House lawmakers are expected to begin work on Ryan White reauthorization next month. (The Advocate)