May 29, 2014

Congresswoman Barbara Lee Announces $5 Million in Federal HIV Treatment Funding

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:
May 29, 2014
Contact: Katherine Jolly (510) 763-0370

Washington, DC – Today, Congresswoman Barbara Lee (CA-13) announced the Alameda County Health Care Services Agency (ACHCSA) was awarded a $4,905,956 federal HIV Emergency Relief Project Grant to increase access to quality and effective community-based care for low-income families and individuals living with HIV. The HIV Emergency Relief Project program is administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration under the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services.

“I am excited that Alameda County will receive this vital federal funding to continue providing necessary care and services for those living with HIV in our community," said Congresswoman Barbara Lee. “As a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Education with jurisdiction over all domestic HIV/AIDS funding, I remain committed to funding treatment and prevention programs, and will continue to make AIDS funding a priority in Congress while working towards a cure and vaccine.  With more programs like the one based in Alameda County, we can begin to reach our collective goal of achieving an AIDS-free generation.”

Alameda County's Health Services Program is administered by the Health Care Services Agency and includes the following program areas: Behavioral Health Care, Public Health, Environmental Health, and Agency Administration/Indigent Health. The ultimate mission of Health Care Services Agency is to provide fully integrated health care services through a comprehensive network of public and private partnerships that ensure optimal health and well-being and respect the diversity of all residents.

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Follow Barbara Lee on Facebook and Twitter at @RepBarbaraLee. To learn more, visit lee.house.gov.

Congresswoman Lee has been a leader in the fight against the global HIV/AIDS pandemic. She co-authored legislation signed into law creating the Global Fund to Fight AIDS, TB and Malaria in 2000, the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR) in 2003, the PEPFAR Reauthorization Act in 2008, and in 2005 legislation addressing the needs of orphans and vulnerable children affected by HIV/AIDS. She has also been a leader in the effort to establish a National AIDS Strategy, and is a member of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor, Health, Human Services & Education with jurisdiction over all domestic HIV/AIDS funding. She is the only United States representative on United Nations Development Programme’s Global Commission on HIV and the Law and was the original sponsor of legislation that led to the repeal of the Immigration and Travel ban that barred the entry of HIV positive individuals. The repeal allowed the International AIDS conference to take place in July 2012 in Washington, D.C., which was held in the U.S. after 20 years. Congresswoman Lee serves as a Representative from the United States to the 68th Session of the General Assembly of the United Nations.