Ryan White CARE Act
In 1990, Congress passed the Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency Act — the CARE Act — which was later named after Ryan White, a 13-year old boy who contracted HIV and who died from AIDS that year. In 2009, Congress and President Obama reauthorized the act for the fourth time, extending funding for another five years.
With proper medical care and access to antiretroviral drugs, people can manage the disease and live with HIV and AIDS for many years — decades, even. But treatment is very expensive.
The Ryan White Program provides funds to state and local governments and agencies to provide doctor's care, HIV/AIDS medications and many other services to people who do not have health insurance or funds to pay for the HIV and AIDS care they need. In some cases, family members of people living with HIV and AIDS — especially women and children — can also receive assistance through the Ryan White Act.
More than 500,000 Americans receive medical services through the Ryan White CARE Act.
Learn more about how Ryan White Act funding is being used in your state: http://hab.hrsa.gov/stateprofiles.