Memphis Standard

MEMPHIS, TN – On April 28, Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-9) announced that the federal Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), has awarded $2 million in federal funding to the City of Memphis to help combat the HIV epidemic. This award is part of a larger $147 million investment by HRSA to support states and metropolitan areas with the highest levels of HIV transmission. The funding will link people with HIV to essential care, support, and treatment as part of the Ending the HIV Epidemic in the U.S. (EHE) initiative, which aims to reduce new HIV infections in the United States by at least 90 percent by 2030.

In January, after the Tennessee Department of Health (TDH) announced its decision to discontinue its participation in the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s (CDC) EHE initiative, Congressman Cohen wrote to HHS Secretary Xavier Becerra seeking his assistance to ensure the health and safety of Tennesseans living with and at high risk for contracting HIV by providing treatment and prevention funding directly to county health departments and community organizations. In his letter, Congressman Cohen highlighted the importance of EHE funding for the City of Memphis. Click here to read his letter to Secretary Becerra.

"Today’s announcement of $2 million in federal funding to support Memphis in helping those living with and at high risk for contracting HIV represents a significant victory for public health in our community,” said Congressman Cohen. “The Governor’s refusal to accept federal HIV funding was unconscionable, but this award is a testament to our commitment to the health and well-being of Memphians. With these resources, we can save lives, improve public health, and take a significant step towards ending the HIV epidemic in Memphis and throughout TN-9. I want to thank Secretary Xavier Becerra for heeding our calls for support, along with everyone else in our state who has worked hard to bring attention to this urgent issue.”

The new HRSA funding will help Memphis implement strategies and interventions to provide medical and support services aimed at reducing new HIV infections. For more information about HRSA's role in the EHE initiative, visit: www.hrsa.gov/ending-hiv-epidemic. For more information about HRSA's Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, visit: https://ryanwhite.hrsa.gov/.

 Original source can be found here.