42 U.S.C. § 300ff: Preferences in making grants

In making grants under section 300ff–51 of this title , the Secretary shall give preference to any qualified applicant experiencing an increase in the burden of providing services regarding HIV/AIDS, as indicated by the factors specified in subsection (b). the number of cases of HIV/AIDS; the rate of increase in such cases; the lack of availability of early intervention services; the number of other cases of sexually transmitted diseases, and 1 the number of cases of tuberculosis and of drug abuse 1 So in original. The word “and” probably should not appear. 2 and the number of cases of individuals co-infected with HIV/AIDS and hepatitis B or C; 2 So in original. A comma probably should appear. the rate of increase in each of the cases specified in subparagraph (D); the lack of availability of primary health services from providers other than such applicant; and the distance between such area and the nearest community that has an adequate level of availability of appropriate HIV-related services, and the length of time required to travel such distance. The period referred to in paragraph (1) is the 2-year period preceding the fiscal year for which the entity involved is applying to receive a grant under section 300ff–51 of this title . In providing preferences for purposes of subsection (b), the Secretary shall equitably allocate the preferences among urban and rural areas. the Secretary shall give preference to applicants that will expend the grant under section 300ff–51 of this title to provide early intervention under such section in rural areas; and the Secretary shall give preference to areas that are underserved with respect to such services.