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Overview of the Ryan White Act

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act (also called the Ryan White Act) is a Federal law that was first passed by Congress in 1990. It was updated in 1996 and 2000 with new requirements.  The Ryan White Act, passed by Congress in 2006, provides Federal government funds which are used to develop systems of care and to pay for medical and social support services for people living with HIV disease and their families. The Ryan White Act identifies who can receive this money and describes how the money can be used.                            

The Ryan White Act is divided into five major Parts:
§         Part A:	Emergency Assistance to Cities
§         Part B:	Support to States, including AIDS Drug Assistance                                        Programs (ADAPs)
§         Part C:	Early Intervention Services
§         Part D:	Services for Women, Infants and Children including Links to Clinical Research
§         Part F:	Special Programs of National Significance (SPNS), AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETC), Dental Reimbursement Program

Here is a short description of each of the five parts of the CARE Act:

Part A:             Emergency Relief to Cities

 

Part A funds go to areas that have been hit hardest by the HIV epidemic. These areas are called eligible metropolitan areas (EMAs) or transitional grant areas (TGAs) and are usually cities or counties. The grant goes to the chief elected official (CEO) of the major city or county in the eligible region. The CEO may be the mayor, county executive, chair of the board of supervisors, or judge. Part A funds may be used for HIV outpatient health and support services, medical case management, and comprehensive treatment services.

Part A funds cannot replace existing local/state funds or be used to pay for services which can be covered by other sources such as Medicaid, Medicare, state/local programs, or private health insurance plans.

Examples of Eligible Part A Services
Health insurance continuation Legal services Medical and dental care Medical case management Medical nutrition therapy	Medications Mental health services Transportation services Nutrition services/ food bank/ home delivered meals Housing referral

Part B:            Support to States

Part B funds go to all the States, the District of Columbia , Puerto Rico, and some of the U.S. territories. Part B funds can be used for medical and social support services, home care services, continuation of health insurance coverage, and to purchase medications used to treat HIV disease. The State decides how to spend most of this money, but in the last few years Congress has directed that a part of each State’s award had to be spent on medications. Medical and social support services are often delivered through coalitions of local providers and community members, called consortia. Many States let the consortia decide how to use their portion of the CARE Act money. 

Part C:            Early Intervention Services

Part C funds go directly to local public and private health clinics. The funds can be used for outpatient HIV early intervention, including HIV counseling and testing, primary care, and referrals to health and support services.

Title IV:           Coordinated Services and Access to

Research for Women, Infants, Children and Youth

Part D funds go directly to local health care organizations or hospitals. The funds can be used to coordinate medical and social services for women, infants and children and to link them to clinical research trials.

Part F: AETC, Dental Reimbursement, Minority AIDS Initiative, SPNS

Additional funds support four programs:

• AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETCs): AETC funds go to training centers to educate doctors, nurses, and other health professionals about HIV disease and current treatments.
• Dental Reimbursement Program: Dental Reimbursement funds go to dental schools to help pay for dental care for people living with HIV.
• Minority AIDS Initiative: Minority AIDS Initiative funds are used to provide services to minorities that promote access and engagement in HIV medical care.
• Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS): SPNS funds go to organizations that are creating and testing new and better ways of serving people living with HIV.