National Commission on AIDS: Annual Report to the President and Congress

The Commission also outlined five initial steps to begin solving the problems of
health care delivery to the million or more people in the United States with HIV
infection.
These include: (1) "recognition that a crisis situation exists in many cities," (2)
creation of a "flexible, patient-oriented, comprehensive system of care," (3) possible creation
of regional centers of HIV care, perhaps modeled after the regional hemophilia treatment
program, (4) creation of units that treat patients who have both HIV and drug addiction,
(5) providing comprehensive health care services under one roof.
Dr. June Osborn, Chairman of the Commission, said, "Finding durable solutions to
problems identified by the Commission will take much hard work and cooperation. But the
solutions also stand to benefit people far beyond the specific arena of HIV, for the health
care system itself requires urgent attention."
Dr. David Rogers, Vice Chairman of the Commission, said, "AIDS has spotlighted
some of the most serious gaps in our ways of delivering medical care. Many chronic
diseases which plague Americans demand more humane responses out of hospital systems
of care. Developing such a system for those with HIV related illnesses should do much to
improve medical care for all Americans."
Though the Commission is not required to make a report to Congress and the White
House until August, 1990, a decision was made to speak now because of the urgency of the
health care delivery and financing issues, and because a national voice is essential
to solving them.
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