AIDS: 'A Whole Shift in Attitude'

Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1993. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.

AIDS: 'A Whole Shift in Attitude'

Baltimore Sun (10/23/93) P. 1B (Selby, Holly)

In the four months since being appointed the United States' first national AIDS policy coordinator, Kristine M. Gebbie has been successful in eliciting cooperation from all sides. Gebbie's post was created by President Clinton to fulfill a campaign promise. While the job carries much weight and exposure, it wields very little power. Gebbie, however, points out, "My job represents a whole shift in attitude in Washington." Gebbie is chiefly responsible for coordinating the policies of all federal agencies that have anything to do with the deadly disease. Among her top priorities are coordinating AIDS research so that duplicated efforts are eliminated, supporting needle exchange efforts, placing more emphasis on behavioral science, and pushing Congress to continue funding the Ryan White Act. Gebbie also endorses the policy of reporting by name those people with AIDS or HIV. One of her first actions was to announce that all 3 million federal workers would receive AIDS prevention education starting sometime in 1994. Most AIDS activists, though, are reserving judgment on Gebbie's performance until the real battles on Capitol Hill start up.

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