People with HIV and Community

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP) is a federal program that funds care for people with HIV who have low incomes. Funds go to states and communities to deliver services. The program also requires a key role for people with HIV (often called consumers). This website has tools to help that happen. Examples include: involvement in planning, serving on clinic advisory boards, and being employed as peer educators to support others to help keep them in care.

Getting in Care, Staying in Care

• Already in care? Ask your medical team. Clients should work with their trusted HIV/AIDS care team to learn about health insurance coverage options. 
• Need health insurance? Find health insurance coverage from private insurance or public insurance programs like Medicaid and Medicare at HealthCare.Gov. Also, access health insurance enrollment resources for consumers.
• Need help with drug costs? If your insurance doesn't pay for your medications, you or your care team can look for help from Pharmaceutical Company Patient Assistance Programs and Cost-Sharing Assistance Programs. Much of the same information is also presented in HIV Medication Assistance Programs (AETC NCRC). 
• Need help with HIV services, like finding a clinic? Find Ryan White Services near you. One good place to start is the RWHAP Part B website for your state. Often, they list hotlines, lists of agencies, and grievance/complaint forms. You can also contact our Help Desk. For a full range of health, social, and housing services, go to HIV.gov's Find HIV Services Near You. 
• Need to learn more about HIV? Go to HIV.gov's HIV Basics webpages.

Resources and TA/Training for People with HIV

Explore these Resource topics:

• People with HIV & Community Involvement - These resources present information on varied topics, like:
  • Community Advisory Boards - how to set up and improve a community advisory board.
  • Peer Programs - train patients and community members to support other patients.
  • Quality Management - HRSA's standards and tools and resources to measure and improve performance.
• Health Coverage - Learn about enrolling in health coverage, making changes, and using your health insurance.
• Planning - These resources including training to support the  role of consumers in Ryan White decision-making. Start with the Planning Body Operations resources, particularly the Planning Council Primer and the Training Guide for RWHAP Part A Planning Councils/Planning Bodies: A Member’s First Planning Cycle.

Stay Informed - Sign up for HRSA-supported RWHAP listservs.