Durbin, Duckworth Announce More Than $14 Million In Federal Funding For HIV Treatment In Chicago
CHICAGO – U.S. Senators Dick Durbin (D-IL) and Tammy Duckworth (D-IL) today announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded the City of Chicago with $14,823,525 in federal funding through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) Part A Grant Program. With this funding, Chicago’s Department of Public Health will develop and/or enhance access to a comprehensive continuum of high quality, community-based care for low-income people living with HIV.
“This critical investment supports valuable patient care and is key for improving health outcomes in medically underserved communities,” said Durbin. “I commend HHS and Chicago Department of Health for their continued commitment to Illinoisans living with HIV and AIDS, but caution that we find ourselves in trying times. Congressional Republicans are currently attempting to ram through legislation—without allowing for proper review, analysis, or public input—that would take health care away from one million Illinoisans and seriously undermine protections for those with pre-existing conditions, like HIV/AIDS. If they are successful, I fear what will happen to our state’s most vulnerable residents.”
“This significant infusion of federal funding will go a long way to help ensure people with HIV throughout Chicagoland can access the resources they need to stay healthy,” said Duckworth. “It’s critically important that we work to build on the progress we’ve already made when it comes to combating the HIV/AIDS epidemic, and I look forward to continuing my work to end this crisis once and for all.”
The RWHAP Part A provides grants to cities with a population of at least 50,000 that are severely affected by the HIV epidemic. This funding is provided through the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA).