Jon L. Christensen: “I rise in support of S. 2311, Ryan White Care Act. I am very thankful that we are acting on this very important bill…”

“I rise in support of S. 2311, Ryan White Care Act. I am very thankful that we are acting on this very important bill, before we run out of time, to ensure that individuals living with HIV and AIDS will receive the health care and related supported services that they need. While, S. 2311 is not perfect, it does provide the necessary authorizations for appropriations and programmatic changes to ensure that the CARE Act is responsive to the evolving demographic trends in the HIV/AIDS epidemic and advances in treatment care. I am also pleased that one of my major concerns with the House bill to reauthorize the CARE Act, HR 4807, involving incentives for HIV testing of pregnant women and infants, is not in the bill before us today. I oppose mandatory testing of any sub-population, and I strongly believe, that this body must give full consideration to the IOM study as it relates to this issue. I am encouraged that S. 2311 also changes city and state funding formulas to encompass all who are infected with HIV and not just provide resources for individuals who have progressed to AIDS.”