Explanation
BACKGROUND: The City of Columbus received funding for the Ryan White Part A HIV Emergency Relief Grant Program from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA). This grant requires Columbus Public Health (CPH) to assure quality medical care to eligible persons living with HIV or AIDS in Central Ohio (Franklin, Licking, Delaware, Morrow, Union, Madison, Pickaway and Fairfield counties). Ordinance 0913-2019, passed April 15, 2019, authorized the Board of Health to contract with certain vendors to provide HIV-related somatic medical care, medical case management services, non-medical case management services, mental health services, housing services, and emergency financial assistance. Contracts were awarded following an RFQ process according to bidding requirements of the City Code. The term of each contract is March 1, 2019, through February 29, 2020.
The HIV Care Part A grant’s purpose is to improve access to medical care for persons living with HIV or AIDS living in Central Ohio. The goal is that each client will achieve viral suppression, which improves their quality of life and reduces the risk of spreading the infection. This grant enhances medical services, both somatic and behavioral health and pays for HIV related doctor’s visits, mental health services, substance abuse services, and other services allowable by the grant. It also strengthens the case management and linkage to care (or patient navigation) elements.
In 2018, The Ryan White Part A program for the Central Ohio area served over 2,400 people living with HIV through several programs including outpatient/ambulatory medical care, mental health services, medical case management, early intervention services, housing services, non-medical case management, emergency financial assistance and medical transportation.
Initial funding for the contracts authorized by Ordinance 0913-2019 was based on each vendor’s estimate of ...
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