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Log Cabin Praises New Effort to Jump Start Process for Reauthorization of Ryan White CARE Act

Applaud Senator Coburn for Introducing Legislation to Update and Modernize Act

February 28, 2006

(Washington, DC) – Log Cabin Republicans are encouraged by Senator Tom Coburn's (R-OK) efforts to improve the Ryan White CARE Act. He unveiled legislation today to reauthorize the CARE Act, which expired September 30, 2005. "We applaud Senator Coburn's commitment to the Ryan White CARE Act," said Log Cabin President Patrick Guerriero. "Dr. Coburn's legislation provides a powerful jump start to the process of reauthorizing this critical act."

Dr. Coburn's bill aims to expand access to life-saving medical care, improve the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP), reduce bureaucracy and increase accountability. "Log Cabin hopes this proposal will help spur action in Congress to reauthorize the Ryan White CARE Act as soon as possible," said Guerriero. "Reauthorizing and improving the CARE Act is crucial for the hundreds of thousands of Americans living with this disease."

Dr. Coburn's legislation was written with input from HIV/AIDS community leaders across the country. His proposal includes amendments to ensure the CARE Act can better respond to changes in the epidemic by targeting federal resources to communities most in need. It calls for prioritizing early diagnosis, expanding access to life-saving medical care and treatment, and improving ADAP.

Log Cabin has been lobbying GOP members of Congress on the importance of reauthorizing the CARE Act. Log Cabin also has been coordinating our efforts with HIV/AIDS organizations and GLBT groups. "We encourage people to examine this bill and engage in constructive dialogue in the coming weeks and months to help make sure this process produces the best bill possible," said Guerriero. "We look forward to working with Health Committee Chairman Mike Enzi (R-WY) and other GOP lawmakers to help assure reauthorization of the CARE Act."

President Bush called on Congress in his State of the Union address last month to reauthorize and reform the Ryan White CARE Act, which is the principal federal program that provides assistance to Americans infected with HIV/AIDS. For 15 years, the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act has addressed the health needs of persons living with HIV disease by funding primary health care and support services.