HIV/AIDS Bureau

The HIV/AIDS Bureau is a part of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), a part of the United States Department of Health and Human Services.

Overview

HRSA is the recognized leader in improving access to more and better care to the thousands of uninsured and underinsured individuals living with HIV/AIDS and their families.

Key Facts

* HRSA’s Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, with an FY 2007 budget of more than $2.1 billion, funds primary health care, support services and life-saving medications for more than 530,000 low-income, uninsured, and underinsured people living with HIV/AIDS.

* Signed by President Bush in December 2006, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006 directs that more funds be spent on core medical services. The new law also takes into consideration HIV and AIDS cases in allocating funds.

* The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is the fastest growing component of all Ryan White programs. First funded in FY 1996 at $52 million, state ADAPs today receive $790 million to provide life-saving medications to individuals who cannot afford them. On average, more than 147,000 clients are served annually through ADAPs.

* Almost three-quarters of Ryan White patients are minority Americans who have higher rates of HIV infection and who experience greater barriers in accessing care than the general public.

* Since FY 2001, the Bush Administration has spent more than $14.0 billion in Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funds.

History

The original Ryan White CARE Act was enacted in 1990 to improve the quality and availability of care for people with HIV/AIDS and their families. The CARE Act was reauthorized in May 1996 and again in 2000. The newly enacted Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006 provides more flexibility to respond effectively to the changing epidemic. The new law changes how Ryan White funds can be used, with an emphasis on providing life-saving and life-extending services for people living with HIV/AIDS across this country.

Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program funds primary care and support services for individuals living with HIV disease who lack health insurance and financial resources for their care.

While ambulatory health care and support services are the primary focus of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, 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 HIV/AIDS Program works toward these goals by funding local and state programs that provide primary medical care and support services, health care provider training, and technical assistance to help funded programs address implementation and emerging HIV care issues.

Funding for Metropolitan Areas

Through Part A, HRSA provides funding to Eligible Metropolitan Areas and transitional Grant Areas hardest hit by the HIV/AIDS epidemic for a wide range of community-based services such as outpatient health care and support and case management services.

Funding to States

Through Part B, HRSA provides formula funding to States and territories to improve the quality, availability, and organization of health care and support services for people with HIV disease. This program also earmarks funds to support pharmaceutical treatments through the AIDS Drug Assistance Program.

Funding to Communities

Through Part C, HRSA provides funding to public and private nonprofit primary care providers (such as community and migrant health centers, community- and faith-based organizations, hospital and university-based medical centers, and city and county health services organizations) for outpatient early intervention services, and organizational capacity-building.

Funding for Women, Children and Families

Through Part D, HRSA provides funding to public and private nonprofit entities to build community- and faith-based programs for children, youth, women, and families. It also provides funding for a Youth Services Initiative that identifies HIV-infected youth and brings them into comprehensive, culturally, and linguistically sensitive care, while also helping maintain them in this care.

Part F includes the Special Projects of National Significance Program that provides funding to public and private nonprofit entities to develop innovative models of HIV care for underserved populations. Part F also includes the Dental Reimbursement Program, the Community-Based Dental Partnership Program; and the AIDS Education and Training Centers (AETC). The AETC Program funds a network of universities and other entities to conduct regional multidisciplinary HIV-related education and training for health care providers to increase the number who are educated and motivated to counsel, diagnose, treat, and manage care for individuals with HIV/AIDS.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006

Part A funds eligible metropolitan areas and transitional grant areas. 75% must be spent for core services.

Part B funds States. 75% must be spent for core services.

Part C funds early intervention services. 75% must be spent for core services.

Part D grants support services for women, infants, children and youth.

Part F comprises Special Projects of National Significance, AIDS Education & Training Centers, Dental Programs and Minority AIDS Initiative.

Global AIDS Program

HRSA’s Global HIV/AIDS Program, part of the President's Emergency Plan for AIDS Relief (PEPFAR), works in partnership with various organizations to assist the global community in improving its capacity to increase access to quality care and treatment for people infected with and affected by HIV/AIDS and its complications. HRSA has taken its extensive experience in domestic HIV/AIDS care and treatment programs, provider education and training, and technical assistance and tailored it worldwide. Presently, HRSA supports programs in 17 countries.

References

External links

[http://www.hab.hrsa.gov] HRSA HIV/AIDS Bureau Web Site