Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1998. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
PRNewswire - Friday November 13, 1998
NHF President Katherine Muir states, "This is a great day for the bleeding disorders community. After years of effort, the federal government has finally recognized the tragedy that has afflicted the bleeding disorders community."
The Ricky Ray Act passed the United States House of Representatives on May 19, 1998, and the Senate on the last day of session, October 21, 1998. The bill was sponsored by Senators Mike DeWine (R-OH) and Bob Graham (D-FL) and Representative Porter Goss (R-FL).
The legislation establishes a trust fund for $750 million. It calls for a one-time compassionate payment of $100,000 to individuals who contracted HIV through the use of contaminated clotting factor. Should the individual be deceased, the payment would be distributed to either the legal spouse, parents, or children.
Ms. Muir states, "This money will help offset medical bills that have accumulated over many years. The cost for HIV and hemophilia treatment is expensive, and this compassionate payment will help address ongoing medical costs."
During the early 1980s, more than 80% of people with severe hemophilia, and 50% of all people with hemophilia were infected with HIV, the virus that causes AIDS, when the blood products used to treat this bleeding disorder were contaminated with the HIV virus. The responsibility for overseeing the safety of the nation's blood supply continues to rest with the federal government.
The United States is one of the last developed countries to establish a compensation program to assist citizens with bleeding disorders who were infected with HIV through contaminated blood products. More than 26 developed countries already have such compensation programs in place.
This bill is named for Ricky Ray, a boy with hemophilia from Florida who contracted HIV through the use of contaminated blood products. Ricky Ray and his brothers, who also contracted HIV, were denied access to public schools and were victims of widespread discrimination and violence.
The National Hemophilia Foundation is the nation's leading voluntary health agency representing individuals with hemophilia, von Willebrand disease, and other inherited bleeding disorders. Additional information can be obtained from NHF's information clearinghouse (800-424-2634) or on NHF's web site (www.hemophilia.org).
SOURCE: National Hemophilia Foundation
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