HHS Awards $1.9 Billion In Grants For HIV/AIDS

WASHINGTON - More than $1.9 billion dollars in grants have been awarded to cities, states and local community-based organizations the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) announced today. This funding will ensure that people living with HIV/AIDS continue to have access to critical health care services and medications. The fiscal year 2013 awards were funded through the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program.
"The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program plays an important role in the fight against HIV/AIDS," said Secretary Kathleen Sebelius. "These grants will help make a real difference in the lives of Americans coping with HIV/AIDS, especially those in underserved urban and rural communities."
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 pay for treatment.
"The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program helps more than half a million individuals each year obtain clinical care, treatment and support services," said HRSA Administrator Mary K. Wakefield, Ph.D., R.N. "The key to its success is the cities, states and community groups who know their populations and decide how best to allocate the funding they receive."
A total of $594 million was awarded to 53 cities to provide core medical and support services for individuals living with HIV/AIDS under Part A of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. These grants are awarded to eligible metropolitan areas with the highest number of people living with HIV/AIDS and to areas experiencing increases in HIV/AIDS cases and emerging care needs. See a list of the Part A awards http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/ryanwhiteabc/parta.html.
Approximately $1.16 billion was awarded in FY 2013 to 59 states and territories under Part B of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Part B grants include grants that can be used for home and community-based services, AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) assistance, and other direct services. In FY 2013, $309 million was awarded in Part B base funding and $782 million was awarded for ADAP. In addition, 16 states received Emerging Community grants based on the number of AIDS cases over the most recent five-year period. Thirty-six states and territories were also awarded $10.1 million in Part B Minority AIDS Initiative grants. See a list of the Part B awards http://www.hrsa.gov/about/news/2013tables/ryanwhiteabc/partb.html.
In FY 2013, approximately $178 million was awarded across the country to 357 local community-based organizations to provide core medical and support services to individuals living with HIV/AIDS under Part C of the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program. Currently 351 Part C grantees are providing ongoing services. Part C grant recipients provide comprehensive primary health care in outpatient settings to people living with HIV disease. See a list of the FY 2013 Part C awarded grants.
These funds also will support states and communities in their ongoing efforts to pursue the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy, particularly efforts to increase access to HIV care and reduce HIV-related health disparities.
To learn more about the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, visit http://www.hab.hrsa.gov. For more information about HIV/AIDS prevention, testing, treatment, and research, visit http://www.AIDS.gov.