WASHINGTON - U.S. Senator Robert Menendez (D-NJ) today applauded the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) for granting over $16.5 million to the New Jersey State Department of Health and Senior Services (NJDHSS) to help low-income New Jerseyans living with HIV or AIDS. The $16,562,421 grantcomes from the Ryan White program, which provides primary medical care and support services,including counseling and transportation services,for those affected by HIV/AIDS.

"There are a reported 35,000 men, women and children living with HIV or AIDS in New Jersey and we simply cannot let this number increase as statistics tend to do," said Menendez. "We must continue to invest in effective prevention programs that will have the greatest impact on combating HIV infections. And part of prevention is properly educating, supporting and treating those who are living with the disease. I applaud HHS for this funding and with continued support like theirs, I believe we can get to a point where we're not only seeing a decrease in cases as we are now, but we'll see zero new cases.It's a lofty goal, but it is one that I believe can be reached in our lifetime."

The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act addresses the unmet health needs of persons living with HIV disease by funding primary health care and support services that enhance access to care. First enacted by Congress in 1990, it was amended and reauthorized in 1996, 2000 and 2009. The current CARE Act is set to expire at the end of September.

"The last time the CARE Act was up for reauthorization, I had to join in a fight for funding to make sure New Jersey's was not decimated," said Menendez. "I hope this time around, my colleagues will reauthorize the Ryan White program quickly, without fail or cuts, to ensure that every man, woman, child and infant in New Jersey living with HIV or AIDS has access to the best care available."

The CARE Act reaches over 500,000 individuals each year, making it the federal government's largest program specifically for people living with HIV disease. The CARE Act was named for Ryan White, an Indiana teenager whose courageous struggle with HIV/AIDS and against AIDS-related discrimination helped educate the nation.

InNew Jersey, HIV/AIDS affects the African American community more than any other racial, ethnic or demographic group according to NJDHSS. One in 62 African Americans in New Jersey is living with AIDS as opposed to one in 701 Non-Hispanic Whites. Latinos comprise of 22% of all persons living with HIV/AIDS in the State.

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