Congressman Cohen Announces $170,000 Grant for The MED
“I am very pleased that HHS awarded these monies to the MED,” said Congressman Cohen. “The funds from this grant will help The MED provide critical early care services to the citizens in the 9th District who are living with HIV and AIDS,” added Congressman Cohen. “Unfortunately, the HIV epidemic continues to plagues the 9th District, particularly in the African American community. I applaud HHS for recognizing the necessity for increased funding to combat this deadly disease.”
Congressman Cohen added, “I have fought to secure funding for the 9th District’s largest charity hospital throughout my tenure in Washington and, while this grant is certainly beneficial, I will continue to fight to ensure that The MED can be reimbursed by the states whose citizens flock to The MED for their medical care. It is unacceptable that the financial burden for those out-of-state patients is borne by the taxpayers of Memphis and Shelby County.”
The Health Resources and Services Administration, part of HHS, awarded the grant under the Title III Early Intervention Services Program – 1 of 5 programs federally funded under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act – which funds hospitals serving communities severely affected by the HIV epidemic. The Title III program was created to provide outpatient, early-intervention primary care and support services to persons living with HIV/AIDS, such as: HIV counseling, testing and referrals; counseling and education on living with HIV; medical evaluations and clinical care; oral health care, mental health care, outpatient substance abuse treatment, nutritional services and specialty medical care.
According to the Memphis and Shelby County Health Department, in 2005 there were 7,570 residents in Memphis and Shelby County who had been infected with HIV/AIDS, and 5,008 were still living with the disease. African Americans represent more than 80% of those living with the disease in the 9th District.
Earlier this year, Congressman Cohen announced nearly $5.6 million in grants to the 9th District for education and treatment programs in the 9th District related to the HIV/AIDS virus. For more information on HIV relief programs in the Memphis metro area, please contact Congressman Cohen’s Memphis office at 901-544-4131 or the Shelby County Health Department at 901-544-6847.
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Contact:
Marilyn Dillihay, Press Secretary, (202) 225-3265/ (202) 368-9275 (mobile)
Charlie Gerber, Communications Assistant, (202) 225-3265 / (202) 320-2817 (mobile)