Expanding access: How the 340B program helps Ryan White clinics

Understanding the impact of 340B and RWHAP on HIV Care

What is the Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program?

The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program (RWHAP), established in 1990 and named after an Indiana boy who died of HIV that same year, stands as the largest federal support initiative specifically for people with HIV. Serving as a vital safety net, RWHAP is the third-largest source of federal funding for HIV care in the United States, following Medicare and Medicaid.

Who benefits from RWHAP?

• Primary Beneficiaries: RWHAP delivers outpatient HIV care, treatment, and support services to those without health insurance.
• Focus Population: The program mainly serves low-income men of color, many of whom are gay or bisexual.
• Reach: Currently, RWHAP helps about 500,000 people diagnosed with HIV across the country.

How is RWHAP administered?

RWHAP is managed by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) HIV/AIDS Bureau. Since its creation, Congress has reauthorized the program four times, ensuring its evolution to meet the needs of patients and communities. Funding is distributed through grants to states, territories, cities, and eligible HIV organizations. For fiscal year 2024, RWHAP received $2.6 billion in funding.

The five parts of RWHAP

• Part A: Supports cities and counties most affected by HIV, providing medical and support services.
• Part B: Supplies medicines to low-income individuals with HIV and enhances access to care nationwide.
• Part C: Delivers outpatient ambulatory services and support, focusing on community-based organizations.
• Part D: Provides specialized care for low-income women, infants, children, and youth, as well as family support services.
• Part F: Offers training for healthcare providers, develops innovative care models, supports oral healthcare, and promotes improved outcomes for minorities.

The 340B program: A lifeline for Ryan White clinics

Healthcare organizations registered under RWHAP can also participate in the federal 340B Drug Pricing Program, provided they enroll and meet all requirements. The 340B program allows qualifying hospitals and clinics to purchase medications at significant discounts. This is designed to help providers stretch their resources further and enhance their ability to serve low-income patients living with HIV.

1. Clinics can buy HIV medications at discounted prices, which they can then provide for free or at low cost to patients.
2. Clinics can use the money from those discounts to expand services to patients and communities. This can include vaccines, transportation assistance, dental care, vision care, and mental health counseling.
3. More patients can be served with the same amount of funding and more staff can be hired to serve those patients.
4. Clinics can help patients stay engaged with their care and potentially reduce HIV transmission, resulting in improved health outcomes for both patients and communities in general.

Final thoughts

By enabling clinics to access discounted medications, the 340B program helps maximize the impact of federal funding. This ensures more comprehensive care, better health outcomes, and expanded services for individuals who need them most.

Further reading

• Stretching Scarce Federal Resources: How Conway Medical Center Is Redefining 340B’s Impact
• How does 340B impact specialty pharmacy?
• Use AI to optimize your health system’s 340B program

References

• The Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program: The Basics
• Ryan White HIV/AIDS Program, Program Parts and Initiatives
• The Federal 340B Drug Pricing Program: What It Is, and Why It’s Facing Legal Challenges
• Get the Facts: RWC-340B- Who We Are and Our Patient-Centric Mission
• 340B Drug Pricing Program
• Ryan White and 340B Services
• The 340B Drug Pricing Program
• Fact Sheet: The 340B Drug Pricing Program

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