SENATE BUDGET AND APPROPRIATIONS COMMITTEE

STATEMENT TO

SENATE, No. 1978

STATE OF NEW JERSEY

DATED: MAY 8, 1997

      The Senate Budget and Appropriations Committee reports favorably Senate Bill No. 1978 of 1997.

      Senate Bill No. 1978 appropriates $7,281,000 in additional federal AIDS funds for grants under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act program. With these funds, New Jersey will have received approximately $25 million in Fiscal Year 1997 under this federal program. It is anticipated that the State may receive approximately $32 million in Fiscal Year 1998.

      Title II of the federal Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act provides formula grants to states to support services for people with HIV infection. These funds, along with State matching funds, support: nine consortia in 15 counties which serve as a focal point for the planning and coordination of HIV related services; services to help eligible individuals remain in their community rather than receive services in a long-term care facility or hospital; provide for the continuation of health insurance benefits for individuals and families with HIV infection by making premium payments; provide life supporting and life sustaining medications to eligible HIV-infected individuals; and administration, planning and evaluation.

      According to the Department of Health and Senior Services, the appropriation in this bill will be used for the AIDS drug distribution component of the program to provide medications to approximately 1,800 individuals a month.

      As reported, this bill is identical to Assembly Bill No. 2812 of 1997 (Wright/DiGaetano).

FISCAL IMPACT

      This bill appropriates $7,281,000 in additional federal AIDS funds for grants under the Comprehensive AIDS Resources Grant program.