Media Contact:
J. Cory Curtis, Lifelong AIDS Alliance
(206) 957-1630

For Immediate Release
December 11, 2006

Lifelong AIDS Alliance Congratulates Congress for Passing the Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act
Lifelong Urges Washington Delegation to Ensure Adequate Funds are Appropriated

Seattle, Wash.--December 11, 2006--The Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act was passed in the final hour of the 109th session of the U.S. Congress after over two years of negotiations, hard work and advocacy by Lifelong AIDS Alliance and hundreds of allied AIDS service organizations and Congressional partners.

The Ryan White Treatment Modernization Act, formerly known as the Ryan White CARE Act, is the largest federal source of funding for care and treatment services for people living with HIV/AIDS. Lifelong AIDS Alliance is extremely pleased that the legislation has passed, as it means people living with HIV/AIDS in Washington State will continue to have access to lifesaving medication, care and services.

"Lifelong thanks the Members of the Washington delegation, especially Senator Patty Murray, Representative Jay Inslee and their staff, who worked tirelessly for two years to build bicameral, bipartisan support for the act, as well as the many people across our state who worked for its passage," said Tina Podlodowski, executive director of Lifelong AIDS Alliance.

The bill passed early Saturday morning with bipartisan support. The legislation represents a series of compromises from an original set of more restrictive guidelines recommended by President Bush.

Lifelong believes that while the legislation is not perfect, it is an incredibly strong bill for people living with HIV/AIDS in Washington State. The legislation will ensure that everyone living with HIV and AIDS in Washington state is counted in funding considerations. Additionally, the legislation ensures that states will not lose more than 5% of funding from 2006 levels, which will make certain continuity of care for Washington State residents living with HIV/AIDS. The legislation prioritizes funding for a certain group of “core medical services,” such as doctors visits and medications, but also gives flexibility in funding for states that are meeting these core medical services through other means. This will allow Washington State to continue to fund crucial case management and housing services, albeit at reduced levels.

In a huge victory for the people that Lifelong AIDS Alliance serves, the legislation includes medical nutrition therapy as a core medical service. Lifelong’s Chicken Soup Brigade food program is a state leader offering medical nutritional therapy, leading to significant health benefits. Lifelong is pleased that programs such as Chicken Soup Brigade will be able to continue offering care and services through Ryan White.

Lifelong AIDS Alliance urges our Congressional delegation to advocate for increased funding in appropriations. While the act does increase funding from current levels by approximately $70 million, some sources show that between $100 and $600 million additional dollars are needed to truly meet the need of people living with HIV/AIDS in Washington State. With the Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommending that HIV testing become routine, the number of people who know they have HIV/AIDS will only expand and increased funding for medications, care and support services will become even more crucial.

Many people living with HIV in this country are still not in care and treatment. There have been wait lists for access to life saving drugs in several states, and more than 250,000 are estimated to be infected but do not know their status.

“We urge President Bush to join us in asking Congress for additional funding” Podlodowski said. “Everyone in this country should have access to life saving drugs. People’s lives are at stake. Let’s all work together toward the common goal of caring for our neighbors, friends and colleagues and ending this epidemic in Seattle, Washington State and the United States.”

Note: A previous version of this press release incorrectly reported that the bill has been signed by President Bush. In fact, he has stated that he looks forward to signing the bill into law.

About Lifelong AIDS Alliance
Lifelong AIDS Alliance provides food, housing and health insurance to people living with HIV/AIDS in King County. Lifelong also provides prevention education and is a leader in local, regional and national advocacy for people living with HIV/AIDS. Over 85% of Lifelong AIDS Alliance's clients live on less than $15,000 per year. With a $16 million budget, Lifelong AIDS Alliance is the leading AIDS service organization in the Pacific Northwest and is recognized nationally for its innovative work. The AIDS WALK is the organization’s largest annual fundraiser. More information about Lifelong is available at www.llaa.org.

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