Ryan White CARE Act

The Ryan White CARE Act is scheduled to be reauthorized. We have provided a brief description of the current program for your consideration and we will provide periodic updates as reauthorization proposals are advanced.

The Ryan White CARE Act was originally passed in 1990 as a response to the critical need for health care and related services for people living with HIV and AIDS. In recent years, the program has received significant funding. However, while AIDS cases have fallen, HIV incidence continues to grow. Escalating case loads and increases in the demand for services pose continued threats to the capacity of the Ryan White funded programs to meet the needs of people living with HIV. The program offers assistance in those areas of the country which are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS. Funding is available to local and state governments as well as medical and educational institutions for the development, organization, coordination, and operation of more effective and cost efficient systems to deliver essential services to individuals and families with HIV disease.

Ryan White CARE Act

Title I - Jurisdictions qualify for Title 1 funding if they have a population of at least 500,000 and report a cumulative AIDS caseload of at least 2,000 over the most recent 5 years. There are currently 49 eligible metropolitan areas. In 1999, two new jurisdictions (Las Vegas, NV and Norfolk, VA) will qualify for Title I funding.

Title I funds may be used to pay for outpatient medical care, substance abuse and mental health treatment, and other critical support services. Local planing councils assess and prioritize local needs and develop plans for the delivery of HIV/AIDS services.

Title II provides formula grants to all 50 states, the District of Columbia, and the territories. Each state must have a comprehensive plan for HIV service delivery. These funds may be used to operate HIV care consortia, state health insurance continuation, home-based care services and to purchase medications through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP).

Title III provides competitive grants to existing communiy-based clinics and public health providers serving traditionally underserved populations, to deliver early intervention and ongoing comprehensive HIV/AIDS health care services, including HIV counseling and testing, primary care, and prescription drugs. In some areas of the country, particularly rural areas Title III is the only source of medical care and other critical HIV services.

Title IV provides competitive grants to pediatric, adolescent and family HIV care programs to provide coordinated care services and access to clinical research by linking care services to clinical research programs.

Title V provides competitive grants for projects of national significance. It also provides funds to educate and train health care providers in HIV/AIDS care through the AIDS Dental Reimbursement Program and the AIDS Education & Training Centers (AETC’s).