Ryan White CARE Act
The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act was first enacted by Congress in 1990 and has been reauthorized three times -- 1996, 2000, and 2006. The CARE Act is divided into four titles, each creating a framework for funding of services to address specific components or aspects of the HIV/AIDS epidemic.
Today, the federal government provides over $2.1 billion annually for CARE Act programs, which provide primary medical care, pharmaceutical treatments, and support services for people living with HIV/AIDS who would otherwise not have access to these critical services. Administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) of the United States Department of Health and Human Services, the CARE Act provides services to over 500,000 Americans who are living with HIV disease.
Recognizing the federal government's woefully inadequate response to the epidemic and the needs of those infected with HIV, the San Francisco AIDS Foundation played a key role in the initial enactment of this legislation. Since that time the AIDS Foundation has aggressively advocated for this legislation and for CARE Act funding levels that would ensure access to HIV care and treatment for all Americans living with HIV disease.
A more detailed description of the CARE Act can be found in a fact sheet developed by the Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition.
Key Materials
- Congress Passes Compromise Version of the Ryan White CARE Act
- CAEAR Coalition Memo on Expiration of the CARE Act [13K, 1-page pdf]
After the CARE Act expired on September 30, 2005, the CAEAR Coalition sent out the following memo explaining that its expiration would have no immediate impact on services.
- Bush Administration's CARE Act Principles Would Undermine San Francisco and California's Systems of HIV Care
San Francisco AIDS Foundation Information Alert regarding the Bush Administration's CARE Act Reauthorization Principles.
- CAEAR Coalition's Response to Bush Principles [71K, 10-page pdf]
- NASTAD Reauthorization Watch [ on www.nastad.org]
National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors periodic update on CARE Act reauthorization activities.
- CAEAR Senate Hearing Testimony 6-23-05 [109K, 11-page pdf]
CAEAR Coalition's testimony on CARE Act reauthorization presented to the Senate Subcommittee on Federal Financial Management, Government Information, and International Security.
- Key Issues for California's Congressional Delegation
San Francisco AIDS Foundation fact sheet highlighting key issues that the California Congressional delegation should pay attention to as the CARE Act is reauthorized.
- California Loses HIV/AIDS Funding Because of Outdated CARE Act Allocation Formulas
San Francisco AIDS Foundation fact sheet that describes how California is disadvantaged by the current way that AIDS cases are counted for CARE Act funding distribution purposes.
- GAO Report [575K, 49-page pdf]
US Government Accountability Office report, "Ryan White CARE Act: Factors that Impact HIV and AIDS Funding and Client Coverage," June 23, 2005.
- Letter to GAO from U.S. Senators from CA, NJ & NY [375K, 2-page pdf]
U.S. Senators from key states, including California, express concerns about GAO's report on the CARE Act.
- CAEAR Fact Sheets on Ryan White CARE Act [761K, 10-page pdf]
- HRSA Materials on the Ryan White CARE Act [ on hab.hrsa.gov]
Materials developed by the Health Resources Services Administration HIV/AIDS Bureau, the U.S. government agency responible for overseeing and coordinating all programs funded by the Ryan White CARE Act.
- NASTAD Fact Sheet on Ryan White CARE Act [PDF on www.nastad.org]
- An Overview of Key Changes to the Ryan White CARE Act
San Francisco AIDS Foundation analysis of the CARE Act reauthorization legislation of 2000. This document highlights key changes made to the Ryan White CARE Act in 2000, the last time the CARE Act was reauthorized.
- Issue Brief: Financing HIV/AIDS Care, KFF May 2004 [PDF on www.kff.org]
Kaiser Family Foundation Issue Brief, "Financing HIV/AIDS Care: A Quilt with Many Holes," May 2004.
General article on this issue
HIV Policy Watch articles on this issue
OUTReach articles on this issue
Press releases on this issue
Links to other key organizations involved in this issue
- AIDS Action Council
AIDS Action is a national organization dedicated to the development, analysis, cultivation, and encouragement of sound policies and programs in response to the HIV epidemic.
- AIDS Alliance for Children Youth and Families
AIDS Alliance for Children, Youth & Families is a national non-profit membership organization. Established in 1994, AIDS Alliance gives voice to the needs of women, children, youth, and families living with and affected by HIV and AIDS.
- Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition
The Communities Advocating Emergency AIDS Relief (CAEAR) Coalition represents more than 400 grantees under Title I and Title III of the Ryan White CARE Act, including the 51 major metropolitan areas most adversely affected by the HIV/AIDS epidemic, as well as providers and consumers of CARE Act-funded services. The CAEAR Coalition also advocates for adequate funding for the AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) in Title II of the CARE Act.
- Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA)
The Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) is part of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). HRSA directs programs that work to expand access to comprehensive, quality health care for all Americans. The HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) of HRSA oversees and coordinates all programs funded by the Ryan White CARE Act.
- National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD)
Founded in 1992, NASTAD is a non-profit national association of state health department HIV/AIDS program directors who have programmatic responsibility for administering HIV/AIDS health care, prevention, education, and supportive services programs funded by state and federal governments.
- National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC)
Established in 1987, the National Minority AIDS Council (NMAC) is a national organization dedicated to developing leadership within communities of color to address the challenges of HIV/AIDS. Its public policy division works to promote sound national healthcare policy, with a distinct focus on issues related to HIV/AIDS, access to care and social justice as they impact communities of color and also advocates for increased federal resources to address the HIV/AIDS epidemic among people of color.
- Treatment Access Expansion Project
Established in 1998, TAEP's mission is to improve access to early and comprehensive treatment ensuring that individuals living with HIV get the care they need.
Page last updated: 9/12/2007