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1991.00.00 :  Report -- America Living With AIDS

1991 Press Release (No Date)

                STATEMENT BY JAMES O. MASON, M.D., 
                HHS Assistant Secretary for Health
            and Head of the U.S. Public Health Service 

The National Commission on AIDS has issued its comprehensive
report titled America Living With AIDS after two years of work. 
Dr. June Osborn, Dr. David Rogers and the entire Commission are
to be commended for their hard work and dedication in studying
the AIDS epidemic and the response of the nation, and for issuing
this report to the Administration and to Congress. 

I especially want to commend the heroic work that Commissioner
Belinda Mason did in fighting the AIDS epidemic on all fronts.
The President appointed Ms. Mason to serve on the Commission
because she was knowledgeable, articulate, compassionate and a
superb organizer.  Despite being ill with AIDS, she left her home
and her family to travel across the Nation to serve on this
Commission. 

Secretary Sullivan has directed the Public Health Service and the
other operating divisions of HHS to undertake a careful review of
the Commission's findings and recommendations. 

The United States has been a leader in the fight against AIDS
since it was first recognized a decade ago.  Our physicians and
scientists and public health leaders have conducted wide-ranging
research, defined the extent of the problem, developed drugs and
therapeutic approaches, and are making major strides in
developing vaccines.  We have worked with industry to open up
clinical trials and to try to shorten the time for approval of
effective therapies without compromising safety.  And we have
carried out a variety of education and prevention programs in
collaboration with State and local governments and organizations.

We have always worked to develop programs and policies that
preserve the dignity of those affected and that discourage
discrimination.  This Administration lobbied hard for passage of
the Americans With Disabilities Act, and we are pleased that the
Commission calls for careful enforcement of that Act; we already
are developing plans to do just that. 

The Commission has carried out an important assignment.  Its
report will be reviewed carefully. 

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