Ryan White Program, Division of Infectious Diseases, Department of Medicine, Medical College of Georgia

Medical College of Georgia, Department of Medicine
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Administrative Office
Infectious Diseases
1120 15th Street, BA-5300
Augusta, GA 30912-3130
Phone: (706) 721-2236
Fax: (706) 721-2000

Patient Appointments:
(706) 721-1450

Dr. Peter Rissing
Division Director

Ryan White Program

Ryan White CARE Act: Purpose of the CARE Act:

The Ryan White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act is Federal legislation that addresses the unmet health needs of persons living with HIV disease (PLWH) by funding primary health care and support services that enhance access to and retention in care. First enacted by Congress in 1990, it was amended and reauthorized in 1996 and again in 2000. The CARE Act reaches 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. CARE Act-funded programs are the "payer of last resort."

The goal for all HRSA programs is to assure access to high quality health care and reduce disparities in health outcomes for recipients of services in HRSA funded programs. The result is that all persons who need care have equal access to high quality health care, regardless of the payment source. CARE Act 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. The CARE Act works 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 address implementation and emerging HIV care issues.

Ryan White CARE Act: Services provided by the CARE Act:

As an academic medical institution, the Medical College of Georgia (MCG) has a long tradition of providing high quality medical services including HIV and AIDS care for Georgia’s rural and indigent populations. Staffing includes six Infectious Diseases/Internal Medicine faculty, two fellows, one physician’s assistant, two registered nurses, one LPN, an adherence educator, a patient assistance analyst, program coordinator, and other health care professionals.

The program provides outpatient services such as HIV counseling, testing and referral services; appropriate medical evaluation/clinical care; and other primary care services, including oral health care, adherence counseling, nutritional counseling, outpatient mental health, outpatient substance abuse; and appropriate referral for specialty and subspecialty care. Staff facilitate access to Georgia’s AIDS drug’s assistance program and to the manufacturers’ programs for the indigent.

Links:

http://hab.hrsa.gov/

http://www.hrsa.gov/

http://hab.hrsa.gov/educating.htm

A Guide to the Clinical Care of Women with HIV/AIDS

Examination of Fiscal Management and the Allocation of CARE Act Resources

Maxiimizing Access to Medications Through Efficient Use of CARE Act Resources

A Resource Guide for Providing Palliative Care Services Through the Ryan White CARE Act

A Guide to the Primary Care of People with HIV/AIDS

Pocket Guide to Adult HIV/AIDS Treatment

Clinical Guide on Supportive and Palliative Care for People with HIV/AIDS, 2003

Protecting Health Information Privacy and Complying with Federal Regulations, April 2004 and (Spanish Version)

Positive Partners