CHARLESTON, W.Va. (WV News) – U.S. Senators Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) and Joe Manchin (D-W.Va.), members of the Senate Appropriations Committee, today announced $4,739,494 from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program to support several recipients in West Virginia. This funding will be used to improve the quality, availability, and organization of HIV health care and support services in West Virginia.
“Just this past year, we have seen HIV numbers increase in our state, underlying the need for continued support and funding like this through HHS’s Ryan White Program. It’s encouraging to see this funding heading to West Virginia to improve the quality and availability of HIV/AIDS treatment for our communities that need it most. Recently, I sent a letter to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra urging him to add West Virginia to the department’s Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative. I will continue to advocate for the medical resources West Virginians need,” Senator Capito said.
“The growing drug epidemic has contributed to a recent increase in infectious diseases including HIV/AIDS and viral hepatitis. The COVID-19 pandemic has compounded this crisis by preventing West Virginians from receiving the healthcare services they need,” Senator Manchin said. “Earlier this year, I questioned Dr. Fauci and Dr. Walensky on the drug epidemic and HIV/AIDS outbreak in West Virginia and urged immediate federal action to address this epidemic within a pandemic. I am pleased HHS is investing in the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program to expand access to treatment and care, and I will continue to fight for resources to help West Virginia combat the drug epidemic ravaging our state in every way possible.”