During his State of the Union Address, the President should renew his commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic and to committing our Nation's resources to preventing new infections, caring for people now living with HIV/AIDS, and finding a cure, a vaccine, and effective treatments for HIV. The President should, during this address, announce the immediate release of his updated national strategy on AIDS.
Administration's Response
During his State of the Union Address, the President focused on the health-related issue of greatest importance to people living with AIDS: the battle over Medicaid and Medicare. In that context, he renewed his pledge to protect Medicaid as an entitlement and to fight unreasonable cuts in funding. He mentioned people living with HIV/AIDS as a group that needed the protections Medicaid offered. The President has also mentioned the importance of Medicaid to people living with HIV/AIDS in other contexts as well. The National Strategy on HIV/AIDS is in final review. It is the Administration's hope to have a document ready for release in June.
Assessment of the Response
The President did mention AIDS in his State of the Union Address, although only in the context of health care.
Followup Action Recommended
It is important that the President continue to remind the Nation that much remains to be done in the battle against HIV/AIDS.
It is essential that the President and his Administration strategize on how to systematically communicate, in all contexts, the impact of the HIV/AIDS pandemic on the Nation and the world.
The President should continue to affirm his commitment to ending the AIDS epidemic and to committing the Nation's resources to preventing new infections, caring for people now living with HIV/AIDS, and finding a cure, a vaccine, and effective treatments for HIV.
To further accomplish the goals President Clinton outlined at the White House Conference on HIV/AIDS, the Clinton/Gore Administration should ensure that key Cabinet Secretaries initiate and maintain regular face-to-face meetings with HIV service providers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and their advocates to ensure consistent and ongoing communication and partnership with community members on the front lines of the AIDS epidemic.
Administration's Response
The Office of National AIDS Policy has initiated a series of regional town meetings featuring senior Administration officials and members of the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV and AIDS. The chief purpose of these meetings is to continue the dialogue with HIV service providers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and their advocates. Meetings have been held in Dallas/Fort Worth, New York, Newark, NJ, Miami/Fort Lauderdale, San Diego, and San Francisco. Further meetings are planned for Chicago, Cleveland, Los Angeles, and Durham, NC.
In addition, Administration officials are continuing their ongoing dialogue with national and community leaders. For example, HUD Secretary Cisneros holds regularly scheduled meetings with AIDS housing advocates. HHS Secretary Shalala has had many such meetings. There is also considerable consultation between the HIV community and sub-cabinet officials.
Assessment of the Response
Progress has been made on this recommendation. Cabinet Secretaries and senior officials are actively involved in ongoing discussions with HIV service providers and persons affected by HIV/AIDS. The regional meetings being conducted are commendable.
The meeting between Vice President Gore, Government scientists, and industry representatives was an outstanding beginning to the dialogue that must continue about HIV treatment, microbicides, and vaccines.
Followup Action Recommended
A mechanism should be put in place to ensure that suggestions and ideas from regional meetings are disseminated to interested and affected parties. Relevant and appropriate recommendations should be incorporated into the national strategy on AIDS. The Council urges all relevant Cabinet Secretaries to take a more proactive approach to regular face-to-face meetings with HIV service providers, people living with HIV/AIDS, and their advocates.