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The scope and nature of the HIV/AIDS epidemic have drawn States, local governments,
schools, academic institutions, private foundations, health care institutions,
business leaders, community-based organizations, and the Federal government
into many HIV-related activities. The Federal government, through its public
health responsibilities in areas such as research, prevention, health care,
and housing has seen a dramatic increase in its activities since the beginning
of the epidemic. In FY 1986 the Federal government expenditures for AIDS research,
surveillance, income maintenance, and care were $508 million. By FY 1996 that
figure reached $7.3 billion.
In
the past four years, under the leadership of President Clinton, the Administration
has increased spending for AIDS research, prevention, income maintenance, and
care by approximately 50 percent. Funding for the Ryan
White Comprehensive AIDS Resources Emergency (CARE) Act has increased by
158 percent since FY 1993. Support for housing specifically
for people living with AIDS has increased by 96 percent in the same time period.
AIDS-related research funding at NIH has increased
by 40 percent and AIDS prevention funding at CDC has
increased by 24 percent. Federal assistance for the purchase of AIDS drugs has
increased by approximately 221 percent in the last two years. The National Institutes
of Health Revitalization Act of 1993 provided the Office
of AIDS Research with enhanced authority to develop and implement an annual
AIDS research plan and budget. Approval of AIDS drugs by the Food
and Drug Administration has been further accelerated. A community-based
AIDS prevention planning process has empowered local communities to target resources
toward innovative AIDS prevention programs. Eligibility for Social
Security disability benefits for people with AIDS has been simplified and
Federal laws prohibiting discrimination against people living with HIV and AIDS
have been vigorously enforced.
As
the epidemic continues, we must renew our vision for ending this epidemic. The
sections that follow focus on six major policy areas: prevention, research,
care and services, civil rights, international activities, and the translation
of research advances into practice. They identify recent progress and future
opportunities for further progress.
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