The grants to the 51 Eligible Metropolitan Areas (EMAs), which include both formula and supplemental grants, are funded under Title I of the Ryan White CARE (Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency) Act. Formula funds are awarded based on the estimated number of people living with AIDS in the city, and supplemental funds are awarded competitively among EMAs based on demonstration of severe need and other criteria.

"These grants help our most affected cities provide the high-quality HIV/AIDS care their residents desperately need, without diverting resources from other areas of their budgets," Secretary Thompson said. "President Bush and I will continue our commitment to fighting HIV/AIDS at home and abroad through medical research, prevention activities and providing access to treatment for those most in need."

HHS' Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) oversees CARE Act programs. Title I grants provide essential HIV/AIDS health care and a wide range of support services to those who lack or are only partially protected by health insurance. Covered services include physician visits, case management, assistance in obtaining medications, home-based and hospice care, substance abuse and mental health services, and other related services. A portion of the grant awards will fund the Minority AIDS Initiative to bolster care and services among minority populations.

Today's announcement covers this year's full grant amount to each EMAs. HRSA released partial grants last month before Congress had enacted the program's budget for the current year.

Since fiscal year 1991, Congress has appropriated $13.6 billion in CARE Act funding. Last year, Ryan White programs helped about 530,000 individuals access life-sustaining care and services.

A list of this year's EMAs and Title I grant awards is available at: http://www.hhs.gov/news/press/2003pres/20030319.html