Ryan White Action Alert!

The Ryan White Program provides essential medical and support services to hundreds of thousands of individuals each year. The services are a critical part of our HIV health care safety net. Congress must extend the Ryan White Program as a Stand-Alone bill by September 30, 2009 to avoid gaps in coverage.

Sample Letter for Campaign

Subject: Ryan White CARE Act Reauthorization

Dear [ Decision Maker ] ,

As an HIV/AIDS Advocate and your constituent I am writing to ask you to extend the Ryan White CARE Act and support the Community Consensus document. The Ryan White Program must be extended for three years by September 30, 2009 as a stand-alone bill. Your action is required immediately.

I am particularly requesting the inclusion of language to clarify that "food and nutrition services provided pursuant to medical nutrition therapy and as advised by a physician" be an allowable expenditure of core medical services funds under parts A and B.

The Ryan White Program provides essential medical and support services to hundreds of thousands of individuals each year. The services are a critical part of our HIV health care safety net. If the legislation is not extended by September 30, 2009, gaps in coverage could occur.

Be remembered as an advocate for those in your state who are underserved and in need of help by acting on the Ryan White Program immediately. Together the HIV community has established a Community Consensus document including recommendations for a three-year extension. Please review this document by going to http://www.aidsaction.org/public-policy-mainmenu-181/policy-recommendations-mainmenu-416/66-july-2009/546-ryan-white-extension-community-consensus-document-.

With a weak economy and high unemployment, the need for Ryan White CARE Act services is greater than ever. Please act now: support the Community Consensus document and extend the Ryan White Program for three years by September 30th. And remember that food and nutrition are critical parts of a well rounded fight against AIDS.

Sincerely,

Campaign Launched:
August 31, 2009


Background Information

The Ryan White Program provides essential medical and support services to hundreds of thousands of individuals each year. The services are a critical part of our HIV health care safety net. Congress must extend the Ryan White Program as a Stand-Alone bill by September 30, 2009 to avoid gaps in coverage.

The program provides some level of care for almost 500,000 people a year and, in 2004, provided funds to 2,567 organizations. The Ryan White programs also fund local and State primary medical care providers, support services, health care provider training programs, and provide technical assistance to such organizations. As of 2005, roughly one third of this money went to the AIDS Drug Assistance Programs (ADAP) which provides drugs for 30 percent of HIV-infected patients.

This money is used across the nation, and a failure to reauthorize spending could leave serious gaps for those living with HIV/AIDS.

Food and nutrition Services are often overlooked in the battle against disease. Congress should include language to clarify that "food and nutrition services provided pursuant to medical nutrition therapy and as advised by a physician" be an allowable expenditure of core medical services funds under parts A and B.