Columbus Enacts $3.4 Million Federal Grant for HIV Care Program
The measure gives the city auditor and health board new flexibility to reallocate funds quickly and prevent unspent federal dollars.
Columbus has passed legislation directing the Board of Health to accept $3,442,081 in federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care program. Columbus City Council voted to approve the measure on Monday, Oct. 26, Mayor Andrew Ginther signed it into law on Tuesday, Oct. 27, and the City Clerk attested it on Wednesday, Oct. 28, completing formal enactment.
Columbus City Hall and Portman Plaza at 90 W. Broad Street in downtown Columbus.
Credit: General Ization / Wikimedia Commons Image source
The award funds Columbus Public Health for the grant cycle scheduled to run from March 1, 2027 through February 29, 2028. The federal grant aims to improve medical access for Central Ohio residents living with HIV or AIDS, with a goal of achieving viral suppression to improve quality of life and reduce transmission risks, according to program documentation. Funds will cover somatic and behavioral healthcare, HIV-related doctor visits, mental health care, substance abuse services, case management, and linkage to care programs.
In 2025, the Ryan White Part A program served 2,405 clients living with HIV across Central Ohio. Of the 2,405 clients served that year, the program recorded 92.4 percent on medication for HIV. Across the regional caseload, healthcare providers achieved viral suppression for 84.4 percent of total clients.
The newly enacted measure introduces administrative powers responding to directives from the federal Health Resources and Services Administration. The federal agency tasked Columbus Public Health to improve fund reallocation efficiency to minimize unused balances, maximize available services, and avoid penalties because future carryover funds may not be permitted.
The legislation authorizes the Board of Health to accept additional grant awards from the federal government for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program. The legislation also authorizes the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department. The program is entirely federally funded, requiring no city match and generating no local revenue.
Previously, Pique Media reported on the proposed grant on Oct. 16 under the headline "Board of Health to Accept $3.4 Million Federal Grant for HIV Care Program."
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Columbus has passed legislation directing the Board of Health to accept $3,442,081 in federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care program.
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Status=Passed
Columbus has passed legislation directing the Board of Health to accept $3,442,081 in federal grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care program.
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To authorize and direct the Board of Health to accept grant funds from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services in the amount of $3,442,081.00 and any additional funds for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program; to authorize the appropriation of $3,442,081.00 and any additional funds awarded from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund; and to authorize the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program.
The award funds Columbus Public Health for the grant cycle scheduled to run from March 1, 2027 through February 29, 2028.
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This ordinance is needed to accept and appropriate $3,442,081.00 in grant monies to fund the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program, for the period March 1, 2027 through February 29, 2028. The total amount funded for this period is $3,442,081.00.
The federal grant aims to improve medical access for Central Ohio residents living with HIV or AIDS, with a goal of achieving viral suppression to improve quality of life and reduce transmission risks, according to program documentation.
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The Ryan White Part A (RWPA) HIV Care 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 infection.
Funds will cover somatic and behavioral healthcare, HIV-related doctor visits, mental health care, substance abuse services, case management, and linkage to care programs.
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This grant will enhance medical services for both somatic and behavioral health, pay for HIV related doctor’s visits, mental health services, substance abuse services, and other services allowable by the grant, and strengthen the case management and linkage to care programs at CPH.
In 2025, the Ryan White Part A program served 2,405 clients living with HIV across Central Ohio.
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In 2025, the RWPA program for the Central Ohio area served 2,405 people living with HIV clients served through the Ryan White program. 92.4% of clients were on medication for HIV, and 84.4% of total clients were virally suppressed.
Of the 2,405 clients served that year, the program recorded 92.4 percent on medication for HIV.
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In 2025, the RWPA program for the Central Ohio area served 2,405 people living with HIV clients served through the Ryan White program. 92.4% of clients were on medication for HIV, and 84.4% of total clients were virally suppressed.
Across the regional caseload, healthcare providers achieved viral suppression for 84.4 percent of total clients.
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In 2025, the RWPA program for the Central Ohio area served 2,405 people living with HIV clients served through the Ryan White program. 92.4% of clients were on medication for HIV, and 84.4% of total clients were virally suppressed.
The federal agency tasked Columbus Public Health to improve fund reallocation efficiency to minimize unused balances, maximize available services, and avoid penalties because future carryover funds may not be permitted.
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HRSA has tasked CPH to improve the efficiency of the reallocation of funds as necessary to minimize unused funds to the greatest extent possible and to maximize the available services and avoid potential penalties as future carryover funds may not be permitted by HRSA.
The legislation authorizes the Board of Health to accept additional grant awards from the federal government for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program.
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That the Board of Health is hereby authorized and directed to accept any additional grant awards from the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program for the period March 1, 2027 through February 29, 2028.
The legislation also authorizes the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.
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That the City Auditor is hereby authorized to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program as needed upon request by the Columbus Public Health department.
The program is entirely federally funded, requiring no city match and generating no local revenue.
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FISCAL IMPACT: The Ryan White Part A HIV Care Grant Program is entirely funded by the U. S. Department of Health and Human Services and does not generate revenue or require a City match. ($3,442,081.00)
Board of Health to Accept $3.4 Million Federal Grant for HIV Care Program
Supporting evidence (1)
Previously, Pique Media reported on the proposed grant on Oct. 16 under the headline "Board of Health to Accept $3.4 Million Federal Grant for HIV Care Program."
Read supporting passage
Board of Health to Accept $3.4 Million Federal Grant for HIV Care Program