WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Senator Kirsten Gillibrand and Congressman Charles Rangel today introduced federal legislation in both chambers of Congress that would help combat the dramatic increase of HIV/AIDS in minority communities. The Communities United with Religious Leaders for the Elimination of HIV/AIDS (CURE) Act of 2013 would authorize the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services and the National Institutes of Health to provide grants to health agencies, and community and faith-based organizations for education, outreach, research, and testing activities related to HIV/AIDS prevention.
"HIV/AIDS continues to have a devastating impact on communities of color," Senator Gillibrand said. "This legislation provides federal investments in early prevention, education, and research that are needed to battle this horrible disease. By investing in these critical resources, we can help protect some of those most vulnerable and save lives."
"It’s so important that community organizations and religious leaders join in partnership to find ‘on-the-ground’ solutions to the HIV/AIDS epidemic in communities of color," Congressman Rangel said. "This bill will empower and strengthen these partnerships by providing much needed funding to help them find creative ways to break the silence and denial of this devastating disease."
The CURE Act of 2013 would:
Strengthen HIV/AIDS education and counseling: The legislation provides health agencies as well as faith and community-based organizations with the resources to expand education and an understanding of disease prevention. The bill also provides for counseling and work with runaway and homeless youth.
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