Conyers Hails $3.2 Million HIV Relief Grant to Detroit Public Health Department

(DETROIT) – Today, the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) awarded the Detroit Public Health Department more than $3.2 million in HIV emergency relief project grant funding. This funding was provided through the Division of Grants Management Operations in the Health Resources and Services Administration within HHS. Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued this statement following the announcement:

U.S. Representative
John Conyers, Jr.

“I commend the Department of Health and Human Services for their continued commitment to combating and preventing the spread of HIV/AIDS in metropolitan Detroit,” said Conyers.

“The more than $3.2 million in HIV emergency relief project grant funding will go a long way towards addressing this public health crisis. Traditionally underserved communities have been hit particularly hard by the HIV/AIDS epidemic.  Urban communities like Detroit are in urgent need of resources help provide life saving health care services for those living with the HIV/AIDS illness. This is especially true for individuals who are uninsured or underinsured.  These services include prescription drugs, primary care, home care, and end of life care.

“For those living with HIV/AIDS, access to medications and proper nutrition are a necessity. The HIV Emergency Relief Grant program is a federal program that saves lives, and helps to improve the quality of life for those living with HIV/AIDS. This program is an example of effective and compassionate government at its best.”    

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Conyers Applauds Renewal of HOPWA grant to Cass Community Social Services

(DETROIT) – Today, Congressman John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement applauding the renewal of a $1,350,000 Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS (HOPWA) grant to Cass Community Social Services (CCSS) from the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development.  The grant will help CCSS to continue to provide housing for chronically homeless individuals at the Cass House facility, which also provides educational and substance abuse counseling opportunities.

U.S. REPRESENTATIVE
JOHN CONYERS, JR.

“Cass Community Social Services provides invaluable services and opportunities to the Wayne County community,” said Conyers.  “The Cass House, which offers housing, educational support, and substance abuse counseling to individuals with HIV/AIDS, supplies a vital service to homeless individuals with HIV/AIDS.  I commend the efforts of the staff of Cass Community Services on their work to improve the lives of the homeless.”

The grant is a part of the Department of Housing and Urban Development’s Housing Opportunities for Persons with AIDS program.  Organizations that receive HOPWA grants are encouraged to partner with local non-profit organizations, and develop community-wide strategies.  The purpose of the program is to provide housing assistance and related supportive services.  Grant funds may be used to cover housing, social services, program planning, and development costs.

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Conyers: Congress Must Fully Fund Fight Against HIV/AIDS Epidemic

For Immediate Release

Date: Thursday, December 1, 2011

Contact: Matthew Morgan – 202-226-5543

Conyers: Congress Must Fully Fund Fight Against HIV/AIDS Epidemic

Rise in HIV/AIDS among our youth is a national health care crisis that must be given more attention

(DETROIT) – Representative John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) issued the following statement on World AIDs Day, a global health day designated to unite people in support of those living with HIV, to commemorate the lives of those who have died, and to build awareness and public support for the continuing fight against the global HIV epidemic: 

“Without a much needed increase in funding for desperately needed prevention programs targeted to our youth, there has been a sharp increase in the HIV/AIDS rate among teen-age boys and girls in our nation’s inner cities.  Congress must ensure adequate federal funding for the Ryan White Care Act so that our cities, states, and Nation have world class HIV/AIDS prevention programs.

“I have been a supporter of The Ryan White CARE Act in Congress for several years. The Ryan White program has given countless Americans access to life saving medications regardless of whether they are insured, underinsured, or uninsured.

“However, according to ADAPT, one of the nation’s leading HIV/AIDS advocacy organizations,  there are still too many people on waiting lists to receive life saving medications.  This is due to inadequate funding of the Ryan White Program.  There is no excuse for this, and I will continue to work in Congress to help ensure that every single person living with HIV/AIDS in America has access to life saving HIV/AIDS medication.

“Congress must take steps to adequately fund programs aimed at ending the transmission of this deadly disease. There are those in Congress who may say that we must reduce funding for HIV/AIDS prevention programs in order to reduce the national deficit.  I will fight any attempts to reduce funding for HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention programs as they are too important to the health and future of our Nation.

“Tragically, there are six million people across the globe who do not have access to life saving HIV/AIDs medication.  According to the Global AIDS Alliance, with an additional $15-$30 billion dollars per year going to fight global HIV/AIDS, there would be enough funding to provide universal access for HIV/AIDS medication treatment throughout the world. This money can raised, but the world community must work together to do it.  Governments, corporations, charities, and private individuals should continue to donate research, treatment and prevention programs so that one day the world can live free of the scourge of HIV/AIDs.  The organization of this cause would be best led by President Obama.  

“Finally, I acknowledge the hard work of doctors, nurses, and social workers in the city of Detroit who are working tirelessly to make our city more hospitable for people living with HIV/AIDS.  And we cannot forget community leaders who work on education and community based HIV/AIDS programs in our schools and neighborhood centers.”

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Conyers Seeks Health Insurance Coverage For Routine HIV Screening

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For Immediate Release

Date: Thursday, November 17, 2011

Contact: Matthew Morgan – 202-226-5543

Conyers Seeks Health Insurance Coverage For Routine HIV Screening

(WASHINGTON) – Yesterday, Rep. John Conyers, Jr. (D-Mich.) joined with 54 of his House colleagues in sending a letter to the Honorable Kathleen Sebelius, Secretary of Health and Human Services, urging her to include routine annual screening for HIV in the Essential Health Benefits package under the Affordable Care Act.  The text of the letter follows:

“As Members of Congress who are concerned about the impact of HIV/AIDS in our communities, we write to urge you to include routine annual screening for HIV as a preventive procedure in the Essential Health Benefits package under the Affordable Care Act.

“There are over 1.1 million people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States today, and about 20% of them do not know they are infected.  According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), there are approximately 50,000 new HIV infections every year, and more than 16,000 people with AIDS died in 2008.

“The CDC recommends routine HIV screening in all health care settings for patients aged 13-64.  Routine HIV screening allows HIV-positive individuals to learn of their status and begin medical treatment to prolong their lives and maintain their health and productivity.  Research also indicates that HIV-positive individuals are less likely to transmit HIV to other persons if they are receiving treatment.  Routine HIV screening is also consistent with the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, which was released by the White House in July of 2010 and which seeks to increase the percentage of people living with HIV who know their status.

“Unfortunately, some health insurance plans do not cover routine HIV screening.  Instead, these plans cover HIV tests for patients with known or perceived risk factors (for example, men who have sex with men and intravenous drug users) and patients who show symptoms of AIDS.  However, many of those who are infected do not fall into high risk categories.  About 27% of new infections involve heterosexual transmission, and women account for 23% of new infections.  People of color have been impacted severely, with African Americans accounting for 44% of new infections and Hispanics/Latinos accounting for 20%.  Approximately 68% of new infections are among people of color.

“As long as health plans refuse to cover HIV tests as routine health screenings, many doctors and health providers are unlikely to encourage routine HIV screening for their patients.  As a result, many patients who are HIV-positive will not discover their infection until their HIV/AIDS is more advanced and treatment is less likely to be effective.  Meanwhile, they will not be able to take action to avoid spreading the virus to others.  Indeed, approximately one-third of people who test positive for HIV progress to an AIDS diagnosis within 12 months, suggesting that many were unaware they were HIV-positive for an extended period of time.  Thus, routine HIV screening is a critical component of HIV/AIDS treatment and prevention efforts.

“We appreciate your commitment to comprehensive health benefits, and we urge you to facilitate routine HIV screening by including it as a preventive procedure in the Essential Health Benefits package.  We look forward to working with you to ensure that the Affordable Care Act meets the needs of all Americans, including those who are affected by HIV/AIDS.”

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