Ryan White Program Overview

The federal Ryan White Program provides health care for people with HIV disease. Enacted in 1990 who lack health insurance and financial resources for their care. It fills gaps in care faced by those with low-incomes and little or no insurance. HRSA's HIV/AIDS Bureau administers the program through hundreds of grantees, who deliver care to over half million people each year.

The HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) was formed in August 1997 to consolidate all programs funded under the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act. The CARE Act was signed into law on August 15, 1990 to improve the quality and availability of care for people with HIV/AIDS and their families. Amended and reauthorized in May 1996, and November 2000 the Act is named after the Indiana teenager, Ryan White, who became an active public educator on HIV/AIDS after he contracted the syndrome. He died the same year the legislation was passed.

In serving people and families affected by HIV/AIDS, the Bureau, headed by HRSA Associate Administrator Deborah Parham, Ph.D., RN, has identified four factors that have significant implications for HIV/AIDS care, services and treatment:

1. The HIV/AIDS epidemic is growing among traditionally underserved and hard-to-reach populations.
2. The quality of emerging HIV/AIDS therapies can make a difference in the lives of people living with HIV.
3. Changes in the economics of health care are affecting the HIV/AIDS care network.
4. Policy and funding increasingly are determined by outcomes

While ambulatory health care and support services are the primary focus of the legislation, training, technical assistance, and demonstration projects are also funded. Services are intended to reduce the use of more costly inpatient care, increase access to care for underserved populations, and improve the quality of life for those affected by the epidemic. The Ryan White Program works toward these goals by funding local and State programs that provide primary medical care and support services; healthcare provider training; and technical assistance to help funded programs address implementation and emerging HIV care issues.

http://hab.hrsa.gov/