Georgia awarded $65.6 million in AIDS money

ATLANTA - Georgia Monday recieved more than $65 million in federal funds designed to help people living with HIV and AIDS.

Activists called the cash a major source of funding for people living with the disease who are in need or have no health insurance.

Jeff Cheek, a Fulton County health administrator, called Monday's announcement an exciting one especially since so many AIDS activists feared the declining economy would reduce funding at a time when more people have lost jobs and health coverage.

Fulton County received $20.3 million, an increase of $1.7 million over last year, to be distributed among the 20-county metro area.

Georgia's cash was part of $1.8 billion in Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program grants awarded Monday across the country.