HHS awards $2.2 billion in grants for HIV/AIDS care and medications

Health and Human Services Secretary Sylvia M. Burwell announced today that more than $2.2 billion in grants was awarded in fiscal year (FY) 2014 to cities, states and local community-based organizations, funded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. This funding will ensure that more than half a million people living with and affected by HIV infection continue to have access to critical HIV health care, support services, and medications that are insufficiently covered by other forms of health care insurance.

“As we strive to achieve an AIDS-free generation by pursuing and accomplishing the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program serves an increasingly important role,” said Secretary Burwell. “These grants will make a difference in the lives of the most vulnerable Americans living with HIV disease.”

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

“The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program serves individuals who need care and support services and helps link them to clinical care and treatment and achieve good health outcomes,” said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. “The key to the Program’s success is the work of the grantees on the ground – the cities, states and community groups who know their populations and decide how best to allocate the funding they receive.”

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program has made solid progress on retaining clients living with HIV infection in care and improving viral suppression, which improves clinical and public health outcomes by preserving health, extending life expectancy, and reducing onward HIV transmission. In 2012, 82 percent of Program clients were retained in care and more than 75 percent of clients were virally suppressed.

Under Part A of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, a total of $618 million was awarded to 52 metropolitan areas to provide core medical and support services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS. These grants were awarded to 24 eligible metropolitan areas and 28 transitional grant areas with the highest number of people living with HIV and AIDS or experiencing increases in HIV and AIDS cases and emerging care needs. For a list of the Part A awards, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-b-grants-states-territories.

Under Part B of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, approximately $1.3 billion was awarded to 59 states and territories. Part B includes grants that can be used for core medical and support services, and for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP). In addition, 16 states received Emerging Community grants based on the number of AIDS cases over the most recent five-year period. Thirty-five states and territories were also awarded $9.9 million in Part B Minority AIDS Initiative grants. For a list of the Part B awards, visithttps://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-b-grants-states-territories.

Under Part C Early Intervention Services (EIS) of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, approximately $188.2 million was awarded across the country to 351 local community-based organizations to provide core medical and support services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS. Part C grants are awarded directly to local organizations to provide comprehensive primary health care in outpatient settings to people living with HIV disease. In addition, 32 organizations were awarded more than $2.5 million in Part C Capacity Development grants. For a list of the FY 2014 Part C EIS awarded grants, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-c-early-intervention-services-and-capacity-development-program-grants. For a list of the Part C Capacity Development award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-c-early-intervention-services-and-capacity-development-program-grants.

Under Part D of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, approximately $68.9 million was awarded to 115 local community-based organizations across the country to provide family-centered comprehensive care for women, infants, children and youth. For a list of the Part D award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-d-services-women-infants-children-and-youth.

Under Part F of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program $71.8 million was awarded to support technical assistance, clinical training, oral health services and the development of innovative models of care. While Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Parts A through D funded direct services may provide oral health services, two Part F programs focus on funding oral health care for people living with HIV. Approximately $8.7 million was awarded to 56 programs through the HIV/AIDS Dental Reimbursement Program and $3.5 million in grants was awarded to 12 programs through the Community-Based Dental Partnership Program under Part F of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. For a list of the HIV/AIDS Dental Reimbursement Program award recipients and Community-Based Dental Partnership Program award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-f-dental-programs.

Also under Part F, the AIDS Education and Training Centers Program (AETC) awarded approximately $34.5 million through 31 grants to support education and training of health care providers through a network of 11 regional and three national centers. For a list of the AETC award recipients, visit https://hab.hrsa.gov/about-ryan-white-hivaids-program/part-f-aids-education-and-training-centers-aetc-program. In addition, $25 million dollars was awarded through the Special Projects of National Significance (SPNS) Program under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program in which supports the demonstration and evaluation of innovative models of care delivery for hard-to-reach populations. For a list of current SPNS initiatives, visit here.

Grant awards in FY 2014 also support states and communities to achieve the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, particularly efforts to reduce new HIV infections and increase access to HIV care and improve health outcomes for people living with HIV infection, and reduce HIV-related disparities and health inequities.

To learn more about the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, visit hab.hrsa.gov. For more information about HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, and research, visit HIV.gov.