Board of Health to Accept $3.4 Million Federal Grant for HIV Care Program
Legislation authorizes the Board of Health to accept federal Ryan White Part A funds for the HIV care program.
Front facade of Columbus City Hall in downtown Columbus, Ohio.
Credit: Wikimedia Commons Image source
Columbus City Council is scheduled to hold a meeting on Monday, Oct. 19, 2026. The meeting agenda includes legislation listed under the Health, Human Services, & Equity committee for a first reading of 30-day legislation.
Ordinance 2533-2026 authorizes and directs 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 ordinance text. The legislation further authorizes the appropriation of $3,442,081.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund and authorizes the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program grant appropriation.
The agenda was published on Thursday, Oct. 15. Federal Ryan White Part A grants provide core medical and supportive services for low-income, uninsured, and underinsured people living with HIV. The grant serves the eight-county Columbus Transitional Grant Area, encompassing Franklin, Delaware, Fairfield, Licking, Madison, Morrow, Pickaway, and Union counties. Under federal law, Ryan White operates as the payer of last resort, covering critical care when no other public or private coverage is available.
Planning and allocation priorities are coordinated regionally by the Central Ohio HIV Planning Alliance (COHPA), which combines HIV prevention and care planning. The planning council assesses community needs and directs funding across eligible categories, including outpatient primary medical care, prescription assistance, medical case management, oral healthcare, and mental health services. The program also finances essential support services such as medical transportation, nutrition programs, and emergency housing assistance.
Columbus Public Health administers the grant locally, distributing the federal dollars to community healthcare providers. Key sub-recipients delivering services across the eight counties include Equitas Health, the AIDS Healthcare Foundation, Columbus Public Health clinics, and regional hospital network partners. The $3,442,081 award maintains stable funding relative to recent annual cycles, sustaining clinical capacity and case management caseloads across Central Ohio.
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Columbus City Council · 2026-10-19
Supporting evidence (2)
Ordinance 2533-2026 authorizes and directs 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 ordinance text.
Read supporting passage
2533-2026 · 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. ($3,442,081.00)
The legislation further authorizes the appropriation of $3,442,081.00 from the unappropriated balance of the Health Department Grants Fund and authorizes the City Auditor to transfer appropriations between object classes for the Ryan White Part A HIV Care grant program grant appropriation.
Read supporting passage
2533-2026 · 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. ($3,442,081.00)