AIDS Action Lauds Clinton Creation Of Bipartisan Commission To Address Needs Arising From Changing Health Care System

Contact: José Zuñiga
(202) 986-1300, Ext. 3042

WASHINGTON, DC - AIDS Action, the nation's foremost AIDS advocacy organization, today applauded President Clinton's creation of a much-needed, bipartisan Advisory Commission on Consumer Protection and Quality in the Health Care Industry.

AIDS Action Executive Director Daniel Zingale said he is hopeful that the advisory commission, which counts among its members longtime AIDS advocate Nan D. Hunter, will address the effects of a rapidly changing health care system on consumers, including people living with HIV/AIDS.

"Rapid changes in the health care financing and delivery system brings the challenge of ensuring that consumers, including people living with HIV/AIDS, are adequately protected and, as important, allowed access to the very best health care possible," said Zingale, who today witnessed Clinton's signing of an executive order creating the commission.

"AIDS Action will work with Nan Hunter to ensure that the advisory commission and, ultimately, President Clinton, forge public and private policy which defines appropriate consumer protections, consumer involvement and quality standards," Zingale added.

Because over half of all Americans receive their health care through some type of managed care arrangement, AIDS Action has made advocacy around consumer protections and quality health care delivery standards issues a key component of its 1997 legislative agenda.

In coalition with consumer and provider organizations nationwide, AIDS Action is calling on the advisory commission to recommend uniform national standards to protect all consumers, whether they be covered under Medicare, Medicaid, or employer benefit plans. Zingale said the standards must ensure that no American is denied care, that access to specialists is guaranteed, and that managed care plans are held accountable.

For further information, contact:

AIDS Action Council
1875 Connecticut Avenue NW #700
Washington DC 20009
202-986-1300, extension 3053
202-986-1345 (fax)
202-332-9614 (tty)
E-Mail: aidsaction@aidsaction.org