Next to the Medicaid program, the Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act is the largest federal investment in the care and treatment of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States. The CARE Act provides services to approximately 533,000 low-income, HIV-positive individuals.

Since the CARE Act was first enacted in 1990, the Foundation has worked to ensure that HIV/AIDS programs providing medical care, support services, case management, and outreach to women, children, and families affected by HIV/AIDS are strengthened and improved.

The Ryan White CARE program is keeping families healthier, saving money by reducing hospitalizations, and linking women and children to opportunities to participate in cutting-edge HIV/AIDS clinical research. In particular, Title IV (Part D) programs have been instrumental in reducing the number of babies born with HIV annually in the U.S. — from more than 2,000 per year two decades ago to fewer than 200 per year today.

The Ryan White CARE Act must be renewed in order to ensure continued funding for programs that provide important services to women, children, and families affected by HIV/AIDS. The Foundation is currently working with stakeholders and Congress to urge policymakers to support those most vulnerable to HIV/AIDS — including women and children — by reauthorizing and fully funding the Ryan White CARE Act.


Additional information
Position Paper: Recommendations for a National HIV/AIDS Strategy

Press release: December 9, 2006 — Children’s AIDS Advocacy Groups Welcome Stronger Ryan White CARE Act, Urge Congress to Fully Fund HIV/AIDS Programs for Youth and Families

Press release: May 17, 2005 — Senators Dodd and Bond Bring Hope for the Future to Children Living with HIV/AIDS