Legislation

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is the largest Federal program focused exclusively on HIV/AIDS care. The program is for those who do not have sufficient health care coverage or financial resources for coping with HIV disease. Ryan White fills gaps in care not covered by these other sources. The legislation is called the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Modernization Act of 2006 (Public Law 109-415, December 19, 2006). The legislation was first enacted in 1990 as the Ryan White CARE (Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency) Act. It has been amended and reauthorized three times: in 1996, 2000, and 2006.

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is administered by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS), Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA), HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB).

The 2006 Ryan White legislation changed 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. Key changes included:

• Revised method for determining eligibility for Part A (formerly called Title I) funds gives priority to urban areas with the largest number of people living with HIV/AIDS while also helping mid-size cities and areas with emerging needs.
• Revised method for distributing Part A funds directs money to metropolitan areas with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS. It also encourages outreach and testing, which will get people into treatment sooner and save more lives.
• More money will be spent on direct health care for Ryan White clients. Under the 2006 law, grantees receiving funds under Parts A, B, and C (formerly called Titles I, II and III) must spend at least 75 percent of funds on Core Medical Services.
  
• The 2006 law recognizes that HIV/AIDS has had a devastating impact on racial/ethnic minorities in the U.S. African Americans accounted for approximately half of all HIV/AIDS cases diagnosed. The 2006 law codifies the Minority AIDS Initiative under the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.