What is Ryan White?
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program is the largest federally-funded care and treatment service program for people living with HIV. The program was named after young Ryan White who was diagnosed with AIDS in December of 1984 after receiving a blood transfusion. Ryan White's rally to return to school and fight for disease education gained national attention. Ryan White died in April of 1990. Four months later, Congress passed legislation in his honor.
The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act, was passed by Congress in August of 1990, and is administered by the HIV/AIDS Bureau (HAB) of the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA).
How does Ryan White help those living with HIV/AIDS?
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) provides all People Living with HIV (PLWH) who are uninsured or underinsured with the opportunity to attain primary medical care and essential support services. The Program also provides access to HIV medication.
According to HRSA, the Program currently provides care and treatment services to more than half a million people each year and approximately 52% of those diagnosed with HIV in the United States.
The Ryan White CARE Act is broken up into five different Programs, or Parts. Part B provides grant funding to all states and territories in order to improve health care quality for those living with HIV/AIDS. The AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) is another program under Part B that provides FDA-approved medications to people living with HIV who are either uninsured or underinsured.
How can Ryan White help me in Nevada?
The State of Nevada Division of Public and Behavioral Health hosts the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Part B Program. The Part B Program provides medications and services to eligible Nevadans living with HIV/AIDS. Nevada’s AIDS Drug Assistance Program (ADAP) Formulary is geared toward optimum patient care; medications are maintained in coordination with and by recommendation of the Medical Advisory Committee (MAC).
How is the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program involved in the Nevada Integrated HIV Prevention and Care Plan?
The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program provides medications and care and support services to eligible Nevadans living with HIV/AIDS. All of the different Ryan White programs in Nevada collaborate to assure that services are provided to meet the needs of clients. The goals and objectives outlined in the Nevada HIV Integrated Prevention and Care Plan, with 2022-2026 being the most recent plan. The Integrated Plan attempts to follow the National HIV/AIDS Strategy goals: 1) reducing new infections; 2) increasing access to care and improving outcomes for people living with HIV; and 3) reducing HIV related disparities and health inequities.
End HIV Nevada
The Nevada Ryan White Program is committed to working together to achieve the goals of an HIV-free and AIDS-free future through the best practices of advocacy, prevention, testing, treatment and care. Please visit the EndHIVNevada.org website for more information.