WASHINGTON, DC -- In an effort to help Rhode Islanders living with Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) live longer, healthier lives, U.S. Senator Jack Reed (D-RI) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) is awarding $3,480,293 to the Rhode Island Department of Health to help purchase lifesaving medications and provide supportive services.

This federal grant is provided through the Ryan White CARE Act, which Reed helped reauthorize in 2006. The program helps to provide care to over 500,000 people nationwide each year. The federal funding is targeted to encourage outreach and testing and requires that 75% of funding be spent on "core medical services," which include things like medications, outpatient and ambulatory medical services, mental health services, and home health care.

"This federal funding will help Rhode Islanders with HIV receive the medication, care and support services they need to maintain healthy and active lifestyles," said Reed, a member of the Appropriations Committee and the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee. "I am proud to have been a supporter of the Ryan White CARE Act which has helped hundreds of Rhode Islanders living with this terrible disease."

The Ryan White CARE Act was first enacted in 1990 to help improve the quality and availability of care for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured people living with HIV and their families.