The Colorado HIV Care and Treatment Program

History

In 1990 Congress enacted the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency to address the unmet health needs of persons living with HIV disease (PLWH) by funding primary health care and support services that enhance access to care and retention in care services. The Ryan White legislation has been amended and reauthorized in 1996, 2000, and 2006.  In 2009, Congress passed the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Treatment Extension Act .  This bill extends the Ryan White program for an additional four years.  Ryan White services reach over 500,000 individuals each year, making it the federal government's largest program specifically for people living with HIV disease.

Like many health problems, HIV disease disproportionately strikes people in poverty, racial/ethnic populations, and others who are underserved by healthcare and prevention systems. HIV often leads to poverty, due to costly healthcare or an inability to work that is often accompanied by a loss of employer-related health insurance. Ryan White-funded programs are the "payer of last resort." They fill gaps in care not covered by other resources. The most likely users of CARE Act services include people with no other source of healthcare and those with Medicaid or private insurance whose care needs are not being met.

Ryan White services are intended to reduce the use of more costly inpatient care, increase access to care for underserved populations and improve the quality of life for those affected by the epidemic. Ryan White grantees work toward these goals by funding local and state programs that provide primary medical care and support services; healthcare provider training; and technical assistance to help funded programs that address implementation and emerging HIV care issues.

The legislation provides for significant local and State control of HIV/AIDS healthcare planning and service delivery. This has led to many innovative and practical approaches to the delivery of care for PLWH.  Additionally, in response to an increasing need, the State of Colorado legislature has provided generous support toward acquiring HIV medications for PLWH, now exceeding 4 million dollars annually.

The HIV Care and Treatment program at the Colorado Department of Public Health and Environment administers Ryan White Part B funding for the state of Colorado.  The Ryan White Part B funds and funding from the State of Colorado are utilized to deliver services in four core areas: the HIV Medication Assistance Program, Medicare Part D State Pharmaceutical Assistance Program , Health Insurance Assistance Program, and HIV Care and Case Management.

Housing Assistance for PLWH is funded by the US Department of Housing and Urban Development (HUD). This assistance is administered locally through the various AIDS Service Organizations. See the HIV Services in Colorado segment for information on these entities.