Memorandums on the Human
Immunodeficiency Virus Epidemic
Memorandum for Heads of
Departments and Agencies
I
have approved a 10-point action plan as part of my response to the Report of
the Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Epidemic.
The
plan expresses my concern about fair and compassionate treatment of
HIV-infected individuals and directs every Federal agency to adopt a policy
based on the Office of Personnel Management's (OPM's)
``Guidelines for AIDS Information and Education and for Personnel Management.''
I also have asked American businesses, unions, and schools to examine and
consider adopting education and personnel management policies based on the OPM
and the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines.
Many
agencies have already adopted policies based on the OPM guidelines. If your
agency has not already done so, you should proceed to do so. The Office of
Personnel Management is available to answer questions or provide any needed
assistance. The Justice Department and the Department of Health and Human Services
offer additional sources of information and assistance.
To
further encourage businesses, unions, and schools as well as housing projects,
correctional facilities, and others to adopt policies based on OPM and CDC
guidelines and provide the education that is vital to effective implementation,
I also ask each of you to communicate through your programs the value of this
approach.
I
am directing Donald Ian Macdonald, Deputy Assistant to the President for Drug
Abuse Policy, to monitor progress on our response to the Commission's Report
and provide me with status reports in September and December, 1988. Please
provide Dr. Macdonald with appropriate information about your progress.
Ronald
Reagan
Memorandum for the
Secretary of Health and Human Services
I
have approved a 10-point action plan as part of my response to the Report of
the Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Epidemic.
This plan addresses many issues that fall within the purview of your
Department.
In
carrying out your functions, I ask that you address HIV-related activities as
follows:
1.
Review your FY 1989 spending plans to incorporate relevant recommendations of
my HIV Commission.
2.
Convene a series of consensus conferences over a 12-month period involving
State, local, and private groups to encourage them to adopt the specific public
health measures discussed in the Commission Report, such as increased
counseling and testing, reporting of HIV infection, partner notification, and health
care worker safety. One conference should address restrictive measures and
criminal statutes directed to HIV-infected persons who knowingly persist in
maintaining behaviors that transmit their infection. Another possible topic is
the serious problem of neighborhood resistance to facilities for the care of
HIV patients, drug abusers, and group homes for HIV-infected infants and
children.
3.
Increase the number of community-based educational programs, especially
programs directed to those women and members of minority groups who are at
highest risk of HIV infection. These programs, and especially those directed to
youth, should place greater emphasis on my Principles for AIDS Education,
especially those encouraging individuals to take responsibility for their
efforts to prevent the spread of HIV infection. Please collaborate with the
Department of Education in developing youth-oriented programs.
4.
Implement actions within the next 45 days that address the blood safety issues
raised by the Commission. This plan should address: (a) the prompt notification
of transfusion recipients who are at increased risk of HIV infection; (b) steps
to improve HIV laboratory quality and HIV screening tests; and, (c) ways to
encourage the use of autologous transfusions in
appropriate circumstances.
5.
Implement actions within the next 60 days to improve and accelerate further the
process for development, evaluation, approval, and distribution of HIV-related
vaccines, drugs, and devices. This plan should draw upon research of Federal
and State governments, the private sector, academia, and national laboratories.
6.
Provide me, within 120 days, with an assessment of private incentives for
development and marketing of HIV products, including an evaluation of the need,
if any, to have Federal authority with which to offer increased incentives in
exchange for royalties, licenses, or pricing concessions. This assessment
should take into consideration solutions proposed in the February 1986 report
of the Tort Policy Working Group. In doing this assessment, please consult with
the Departments of Justice and Defense.
7.
Undertake an evaluation of our current system of health care financing to be
completed within 1 year.
8.
Conduct specific studies of ways to better promote out-of-hospital and
case-managed care; to encourage States to establish insurance risk pools for
medically uninsurable persons; and to increase the responsiveness of the public
health and health services system to HIV-infected infants, children, adolescents,
and to low-income disabled individuals.
9.
Provide me an update by
I
am directing Donald Ian Macdonald, Deputy Assistant to the President for Drug
Abuse Policy, to monitor progress on our response to the Commission's Report
and provide me with status reports in September and December, 1988. Please provide
Dr. Macdonald with appropriate information about your progress.
Ronald
Reagan
Memorandum for the
Attorney General
I
have approved a 10-point action plan as part of my response to the Report of
the Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Epidemic.
This plan expresses my concern about fair and compassionate treatment of
HIV-infected individuals.
To
carry this out, please provide me with an expeditious review and response to
the Commission's recommendations on how the Federal government should provide
direction and leadership in encouraging nondiscrimination for HIV-infected
individuals, including a review of current Federal and State laws in this area.
I
am directing Donald Ian Macdonald, Deputy Assistant to the President for Drug
Abuse Policy, to monitor progress on our response to the Commission's Report
and provide me with status reports in September and December, 1988. Please
provide Dr. Macdonald with appropriate information about your progress.
Ronald
Reagan
Memorandum for the
Secretary of State
I
have approved a 10-point action plan as part of my response to the Report of
the Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Epidemic.
This plan includes developing a multi-focused international initiative
involving: encouragement and assistance to international HIV efforts, with
emphasis on less-developed countries; a heightened
In
carrying out your functions, I ask that you address HIV-related activities as
follows:
1.
Review your FY 1989 spending plans to incorporate relevant recommendations of
my HIV Commission;
2.
Include in your FY 1990 budget submissions appropriate funds for the
3.
Continue to emphasize our commitment to international technical assistance;
and,
4.
Propose, within 120 days, a 3-year plan for international efforts against HIV
infection.
I
am directing Donald Ian Macdonald, Deputy Assistant to the President for Drug
Abuse Policy, to monitor progress on our response to the Commission's Report
and provide me with status reports in September and December, 1988. Please
provide Dr. Macdonald with appropriate information about your progress.
Ronald
Reagan
Memorandum for the
Director of the Office of Management and Budget
I
have approved a 10-point action plan as part of my response to the Report of
the Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Epidemic.
As you know, I am committed to ensuring that the Federal government's
HIV-related activities receive appropriate resources and support, and that no
impediments to their efficient use exist, consistent with good management.
In
carrying out your functions, I ask that you address HIV-related activities as follows:
1.
Consult with the General Services Administration, the Office of Personnel
Management, and the Department of Health and Human Services to ensure that HIV
activities included in the FY 1989 and FY 1990 budgets reflect appropriate
funding, personnel levels, and office and laboratory space. The
budget, as well as other management initiatives, should also address the
removal of both administrative and statutory impediments to efficient use of
these resources including grant, contract, and hiring procedures. OMB
should take a positive role in removing any unnecessary administrative and
management impediments to the agencies' attack on HIV infection.
2.
Ensure that my FY 1990 budget for HIV-related activities is submitted to the
Congress in a timely manner, and that the Congress is encouraged to act on it
quickly.
I
am directing Donald Ian Macdonald, Deputy Assistant to the President for Drug
Abuse Policy, to monitor progress on our response to the Commission's Report
and provide me with status reports in September and December, 1988. Please
provide Dr. Macdonald with appropriate information about your progress.
Ronald
Reagan
Memorandum for the
Director of the Office of Personnel Management
I
have approved a 10-point action plan as part of my response to the Report of
the Presidential Commission on the Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) Epidemic.
The plan directs every Federal agency to adopt a policy based on your Office's
``Guidelines for AIDS Information and Education and for Personnel Management.''
To
carry this out, you should offer Federal departments and agencies the
assistance of your Office in helping develop any necessary agency
modifications.
I
am directing Donald Ian Macdonald, Deputy Assistant to the President for Drug
Abuse Policy, to monitor progress on our response to the Commission's Report
and provide me with status reports in September and December, 1988. Please
provide Dr. Macdonald with appropriate information about your progress,
including an update at regular intervals on agency actions on the guidelines.
Ronald
Reagan
Note: Each memorandum
was issued as a separate release by the Office of the Press Secretary.