The reauthorization of the Ryan White CARE Act was the topic of discussion at a luncheon and strategy session held at Ann Sather, 929 W. Belmont, Jan. 24. Representatives from the AIDS Foundation of Chicago, the CAEAR [Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief] Coalition, Test Positive Aware Network, the Chicago Area HIV/AIDS Caucus [known as EASE—Empowerment, Advocacy, Support, and Education], and the Chicago Department of Public Health talked about various aspects of the act.
In 1990, Congress signed the Ryan White CARE Act—named after the HIV-positive Indiana teenager who fought prejudice—and created a system of services regarding the healthcare services for people living with HIV and AIDS. Title I of the act provides grants in metropolitan regions where the epidemic has hit hardest. Title II provides funding to states and is used for such services as education and medications through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Title III funds are directed to early intervention out-patient care for people who live with HIV. Programs funded by Title IV provide family-based care for children, women, and families.
In 2000, amendments were added that, among other things, allocated funds that are set to expire in 2005.
Presentations centered around advocacy, appropriations, and reauthorization principles. The appropriations sought under various titles for the fiscal years 2005 and 2006 were unveiled; included was a proposal for $702 million under Title I for the ’05 fiscal year. Plans to increase awareness and funds included everything from gathering research data to contacting local elected officials.
Several principles for the CARE Act reauthorization were discussed.
Among them were:
— The act works and must be reauthorized.
— Planning and coordination are crucial to the success of the act’s programs.
— The act’s structure needs to be maintained.
— The support of a range of services (e.g., transportation and testing) is needed.
— ADAP must remain essential.
The session concluded with an exercise in which each table of attendees had to come up with three issues. One of the most compelling and cited items involved putting a human face on the statistics; personal stories, people said, add a dimension that is touching and that others can relate to.