America Living With AIDS

22. The federal government should expand drug abuse treatment so that all who
apply for treatment can be accepted into treatment programs. The federal governnient should also continually work to improve the quality and effectiveness of
drug abuse treatment.
23. Legal barriers to the purchase and possession of injection equipment should be
removed.
24. The following interim steps to improve access to expensive HIV-related drugs
should be taken:
(a) adequately reimburse for the purchase of drugs required in the prevention
and treatment of HIV disease, including clotting factor for hemophilia;
(b) undertake, through the Department of Health and Human Services, a consolidated purchase and distribution of drugs used in the prevention and treatment of HIV disease;
(c) amend the Orphan Drug Act to set a maximum sales cap for covered drugs.
25. All levels of government should develop comprehensive HIV plans that establish
priorities, ensure consistent and comprehensive policies, and allocate resources.
26. Federal, state, and local governments should join forces with the private sector in
providing long-term support to community-based organizations.
27. The U.S. Public Health Service should expand and promote comprehensive programs for technical assistance and capacity building for effective long-term prevention efforts.
28. Federal, state, and local entities should provide support for training, technical
assistance, supervisory staff, and program coordination to acknowledge and support the family members, friends, and volunteers who are an integral part of the
care system of a person with HIV disease.
29. The federal government should develop an evaluation and technical assistance
component for all federally funded HIV-related programs.
30. Elected officials at all levels of government have the responsibility to be leaders in
this time of health care crisis and should exercise leadership in the HIV epidemic
based on sound science and informed public health practices.