Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program Assistance and HIV Treatment Outcomes

Source: Infectious Diseases Society of America

Click here to download a recent publication developed by the CDC and HRSA/HAB on outcomes related to the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP). Study findings show uninsured and underinsured HIV-infected persons receiving RWHAP assistance were more likely to be prescribed ART and virally suppressed than those with other types of healthcare coverage.

Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) causes a chronic infection, which without treatment leads to AIDS, substantial morbidity, and premature death. Treatment of HIV infection with antiretroviral therapy (ART) to achieve viral suppression reduces morbidity, mortality, and risk of HIV transmission. For 25 years, the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) has been the payer of last resort for uninsured and underinsured HIV-infected persons in the United States, providing outpatient medical care, medications, and supportive services that are otherwise inaccessible to these individuals. RWHAP provides assistance with HIV medical care through several mechanisms. RWHAP provides funding for medical services directly to HIV care facilities, and previous research suggests these facilities perform favorably to other facilities providing HIV medical care. RWHAP also provides assistance with HIV medical care for persons who are uninsured or have incomplete coverage for HIV-related medications and services, but less is known about the impact of this assistance. Grants may be used to pay individuals’ insurance premiums or deductibles for other types of healthcare coverage or to provide nonmedical supportive services (eg, case management, adherence support, transportation assistance, etc.) to HIV-infected persons.