HHS Awards $1.84 Billion in Grants for HIV/AIDS Care and Medications

The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the release of more than $1.84 billion to ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS continue to have access to life-saving health care and medications. The grants are funded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which helps more than half a million individuals every year obtain clinical care, treatment and social support services.

“These grants help ensure Americans, especially those in underserved rural and urban communities, affected by HIV/AIDS get access to the care they need through quality health care and support systems,” Secretary Sebelius said. “The care and services these grants support will help Americans living with HIV/AIDS to live longer, healthier lives.”

The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), an agency within HHS, oversees the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, which provides funding for health services for people who lack sufficient health care coverage or financial resources to cope with HIV disease.

Approximately $1.145 billion will be sent to States and Territories under Part B of the Ryan White program, with $800 million of that total designated for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). Part B awards also include formula base grants that can be used for home and community-based services, insurance continuation, ADAP assistance, and other direct services. Sixteen states will also receive Emerging Community grants based on the number of AIDS cases over the most recent 5-year period. For a list of Part B awards, visit http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2010/partb.htm.

A total of $652 million will pay for primary care and support services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS under Part A of the Ryan White program. Part A awards are distributed to eligible metropolitan areas with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS and to transitional grant areas experiencing increases in HIV/AIDS cases and emerging care needs. The Part A awards include $44.8 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative. For a list of Part A awards, visit http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2010/parta.htm.

More than $48.1 million will fund early intervention services that support medical, nutritional, psychosocial and other treatments for HIV-positive individuals. These grants, awarded under Part C of the program, go to community-based organizations such as health centers and nonprofit providers of primary health care for people living with HIV. Part C grants also may be used to hire case managers to help patients access care and remain in treatment. Additional Part C grants will be awarded this July. For a list of Part C awards, visit http://newsroom.hrsa.gov/releases/2010/partc.htm.

Seventy-five percent of Part A, B and C funds must be spent on “core medical services,” which include outpatient health services, drug assistance, health insurance payments and medical nutrition therapy. The remaining 25 percent pays for support services that help people living with HIV/AIDS achieve desired medical outcomes. These services include but are not limited to respite care, medical transportation and linguistic services.For information from about HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, research, and use of new media in response to HIV/AIDS visit www.AIDS.gov.

The Ryan White program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB). Federal funds are awarded to agencies located around the country, which in turn deliver care to eligible individuals under funding categories called Parts, as outlined below. First authorized in 1990, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is currently funded at more than $2 billion.

Source: U.S. Department of Health & Human Services Release News