AIDS: responding to the crisis. A public policy agenda

Health care organizations must work toward public policy that addresses the cost of treating AIDS patients. One approach to the funding of AIDS medical care--although the evolving nature of the disease's treatment may make it difficult--would be to assign a diagnosis-related group weight to AIDS. Other possible mechanisms would be to establish AIDS as a covered medical benefit under Medicare or Medicaid. The agenda for public policy should include support of vaccine liability immunity for manufacturers of a potential AIDS vaccine and the allocation of funds for health worker education. It should oppose private insurance screening for the purpose of excluding from coverage individuals with AIDS or those who test positive to the AIDS virus. Health care organizations' efforts must include more than just lobbying in Washington, DC, however. Local business leaders and business coalitions also should be involved in the dialogue and in taking the first steps toward addressing the cost of care for AIDS patients.