Benjamin Gilman: “over 250,000 Americans have died from AIDS, the dreaded equal opportunity killer which first became known to Americans…”

“over 250,000 Americans have died from AIDS, the dreaded equal opportunity killer which first became known to Americans in 1981. It is a health crisis which must be addressed now. This legislation accomplishes many of our most important goals--to modify the eligibility requirements and allocation formulas for grants to State and local governments; to give States increased flexibility to provide a wider range of treatments and support services; to emphasize the provision of services for women, infants, and children by instituting special grant set-asides; to cap administrative and evaluation expenses for grant programs, and; to require states to implement center for disease control guidelines regarding HIV testing and counseling for pregnant women. In short, this legislation not only demonstrates bipartisan humanitarian spirit of this Congress, but by working together in areas of mutual concern we can accomplish worthy goals. Accordingly, I am in strong support of the Ryan White CARE Act amendments conference support and urge its immediate passage.”