NATIONAL COMMISSION ON ACQUIRED IMMUNE DEFICIENCY SYNDROME

CHAIRMAN

:une &€. Oshorn. M O.

VMIEMBERS

Jiune Ahrens

\cctt Allen

Han. Dick Cheney

Harton L. Dalton, Esa.

Hon Edward d Derwinsas
wuce tut NEP H

Qunatd 8. Goliman, &xa.

Jan. Desturtais. Ph D

Lurrv Kessier

Charles Kanveshere, M.D.. M.P.H.

&B ia Mason
Davia © Rovers. 4.0.
Hon. wov Rowland. MD.

Hon. Laws W Sullivan, M_D.

*NECUTIVE DIRECTOR

“faureen ovrnes

1730 K Street. N.W.. Suite 515
Washington. D.C. 20006
(202) 254-5125 [FAX] 254-3060

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Contact: Thomas Brandt
Marcn 6, 1990

(202) 254-5125
STATEMENT ON THE "CARE" ACT OF 1990

The National Commission on AIDS endorses the principles
and objectives of the Co

mprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency
(CARE) Act of 1990. This legislation is responsive to many

of the recommendations in the report issued by the National

Commission on AIDS in December,

1989, as well as to
recommendations of the Presidential Cc

ommission Report on
the HIV Epidemic of June, 1988.

There must be frank recognition that a neaith care
crisis exists in many of our cities that will require

extraordinary measures to overcome. The HIV epidemic of
the

1990’s will be far worse than what we have seen thus
far.

Our Nation simply must be prepared to invest adequate
resources now or pay dearly later.

The CARE Act of 1990 will provide emergency funds to
those areas hardest hit by the epidemic. It will provide
Critical support for services in hospitals, clinics, other
health facilities, and in the home. The CARE Act will
prompt the development of more effective systems for the
delivery of health and support services, including early.

intervention. It will develop and fund mechanisms to assure
continuity of health insurance coverage for people with HIV
disease and will also create community-based consortia
Capvanle of delivering a comprenenSive continuum of care.

The Commission’s recent hearings and site visits in
the Los Angeles, New York City, and northern New Jersey
areas impressed upon us the serious need for increased
coordination between the various
Managing the HIV

shared by all.

levels of government.
epidemic is a responsibility that must be

This legislation would stimulate further

planning and ccordination between all leveis of government
and the private sector.

ee ee

The health care system in this country is not working
well and nowhere is that more evident than for people with

HIV intection and AIDS. While AIDS is not he cause of the
health care system’s disarray, it’s epidemic nature has .

accelerated the urgent need for responsible national action
tea correct the system’s serious shortfalls.

The Commission is extremely pleased that a strong
bipartisan commitment has been made to enact this bill and

leoks forward to the passace and funding of comprehensive
AIDS care legislation by the lolst Congress.