WASHINGTON— Today, U.S. Senators Tom Udall (D-N.M.) and Martin Heinrich (D-N.M.), along with U.S. Representatives Ben Ray Luján (D-N.M.), Deb Haaland (D-N.M.) and Xochitl Torres Small (D-N.M.), announced that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) has awarded nearly $ 8.5 million to the University of New Mexico and the New Mexico Department of Health for grants through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. The grants are part of the Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security (CARES) Act that the New Mexico delegation voted to pass in March, and will fund medication, primary medical care, and support services for New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS.
The New Mexico Department of Health received over $2.4 million to improve the quality, availability, and organization of HIV health care and support services. The University of New Mexico (UNM) received $492,914 for primary care and medical services for women, infants, children and youth living with HIV/AIDS. In addition, UNM will use a $285,682 award as additional funding for their Community-Based Dental Partnership Program (CBDPP) as well as $4,159,428 for their South Central AIDS Education and Training Center (AETC).
“This funding will provide New Mexicans living with HIV life-saving medical care, medication and support services during the unprecedented disruptions caused by the COVID-19 pandemic,” said Udall, a senior member of the Senate Appropriations Committee “These programs will remove financial barriers for New Mexicans to access critical care and stay healthy. I will continue to fight for additional relief that is so vital to the health and well-being of all New Mexicans.”
“New Mexicans living with HIV and AIDS are at much greater risk during this pandemic—especially those who are uninsured or face financial challenges,” said Heinrich. “These Ryan White grants will ensure these New Mexicans can keep accessing lifesaving treatment and medical care during this public health crisis. I will keep fighting for Congress to pass a new package with more public health resources and economic relief measures so we can protect the lives and livelihoods of all New Mexicans.”
“These federal programs have provided a safety net for New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDs, ensuring they can access quality care and treatment. With COVID-19 threatening the financial stability and health of Americans, these investments have become even more important,” said Luján. “I was proud to vote for the CARES Act to bring much-needed resources to enhance health care during COVID-19, and I’ll continue fighting to protect New Mexicans’ health during this pandemic and beyond.”
“All New Mexicans with chronic health concerns deserve consistent and outstanding care, but the pandemic puts extra stress on our health care makes it difficult for patients to get the HIV/AIDS treatment they need to survive,” said Haaland. “The funding we included in the CARES Act will ensure that New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS can access treatment, support systems, and most of all, stay healthy during these challenging times. I’ll continue my fight universal health care so nobody has to suffer from a treatable disease.”
“As we continue to face the coronavirus pandemic, New Mexicans living with HIV/AIDS need the resources like these latest Ryan White grants so they can access lifesaving treatment and medical care. I will keep fighting to ensure that all New Mexicans have the support they need to weather this public health crisis and stay as healthy as possible,” said Torres Small.
The full list of the $8,487,424 in grant funding is below:
- $2,459,400
to the New Mexico Department of Health to improve the quality, availability, and organization of HIV health care and support services.
- $492,914
to the University of New Mexico for outpatient ambulatory family-centered primary and specialty. medical care and support services for women, infants, children, and youth living with HIV.
- $285,682
for the University of New Mexico Community-Based Dental Partnership Program.
- $3,159,238
for the University of New Mexico South Central AIDS Education and Training Center.
