Physicians and AIDS

The National Commission on AIDS, created by federal law to advise the White House and Congress on policies for the HIV epidemic, has issued a 165-page report, America Living With AIDS. The commission has made 30 recommendations, including: “Universal health care coverage should be provided for all persons living in the United Sates . . .” and “a comprehensive national HIV plan should be developed. . . .”

I am a physician in HIV clinical services, Orange County Health Care Agency in Santa Ana. We see more than 100 HIV-infected persons every week. Their health care includes visits with health educators, clinical social workers, senior public health nurses, staff nurses, psychologists and nutritionists, in addition to clinical care from physicians.

Modifying negative attitudes of one-third of all physicians is a very urgent task. The private primary care doctor--with all the appropriate positive attitudes--undoubtedly finds it extremely difficult to manage AIDS patients when a comprehensive clinical setting is lacking.

Without an organizational structure similar to the Orange County Health Care Agency, the private solo practitioner is at a decided disadvantage in attempting to emulate our effective clinical approach.

I plead for serious consideration and adoption of the recommendations of the National Commission on AIDS. Its 30 proposals spell out an all-inclusive plan to address the HIV epidemic.

WILLIAM SCHWIED MD, MPH

Laguna Hills