Madam Speaker, I am pleased to rise in support of H.R. 3792, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act. 

There are nearly 40,000 new HIV/AIDS infections reported each year, and according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention approximately 1.1 million Americans are currently living with the disease. While contracting the HIV virus used to be considered a death sentence in our society, significant medical advances over the past 20 years have turned it into a very treatable condition. Today, many individuals with HIV are living long, happy and productive lives, but there are also many among us who don’t have the means to access life-sustaining treatments and social supports.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program was originally enacted in 1990 to provide HIV-related health services to those without sufficient health coverage or financial resources to cope with the disease.  Last year, Rhode Island received approximately $7.2 million in funding and supplied 2,800 people with access to primary medical care and case management services, including $4.3 million in vital medications.

The bill before us today will authorize the continuation of this very successful program through FY 2013 – including emergency relief, comprehensive care and early intervention programs.  It will give our local, state and community partners the resources necessary to continue providing compassionate care for individuals living with HIV/AIDS.   I strongly support this bill and urge my colleagues to vote in favor of its passage.