Thursday, August 26, 2004

HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson on Wednesday announced 49 grants totaling $4.8 million to increase care and services for HIV-positive people in rural, underserved or minority communities, according to an HHS release. The grants are provided under Title III of the Ryan White CARE Act, which helps service providers "strengthen their organizational infrastructure and enhance their ability to expand HIV primary health care services," according to the release. "The communities where these grant recipients operate have a great need for more HIV/AIDS care," Thompson said, adding, "Today's grants will help local health care providers expand the primary care services they offer to local residents with HIV/AIDS." Since 2001, the Bush administration has disbursed more than $7.7 billion in CARE Act funds, allowing approximately 530,000 people annually to access HIV/AIDS treatment and services (HHS release, 8/25).