Obama Names Director for Office of National AIDS Policy

President Obama on Thursday named Jeffrey Crowley -- a senior research scholar at Georgetown University's Health Policy Institute and former deputy executive director for programs at the National Association of People with AIDS -- as the director of the Office of National AIDS Policy, the Washington Post's "Cast of Characters" reports. As director, Crowley will be responsible for coordinating the federal government's efforts in curbing the spread of HIV through education programs, in addition to coordinating treatment efforts for people living with the virus. He also will serve on the president's Domestic Policy Council and help guide the Obama Administration's disability policies. Obama said, "Crowley brings the experience and expertise that will help our nation address the ongoing HIV/AIDS crisis and help my administration develop policies that will serve Americans with disabilities" (Stein, "Cast of Characters," Washington Post, 2/26).

During his time at NAPWA, Crowley helped implement major initiatives, including National HIV Testing Day and the Ryan White National Youth Conference. Crowley has expertise in Medicaid policy, including Medicaid prescription drug policies, and Medicare policy. He also has experience in consumer education and training. Crowley has spent the last fourteen years in efforts to improve access to health and social services for people living with HIV/AIDS, people with physical and mental disabilities, low-income individuals and other groups (Rhee, "Political Intelligence," Boston Globe, 2/26). Rep. Barbara Lee (D-Calif.) -- chair of the Congressional Black Caucus -- welcomed Crowley's appointment and said, "We need a national AIDS strategy to better coordinate and guide our response to this devastating disease" (AP/Google.com, 2/26).

Back to other news for February 2009

Search the Newsroom archive