Bush Administration Expected to Replace Seven of Eight Remaining PACHA Members Appointed By Clinton

The Bush administration this month is expected to replace all but one of the eight remaining Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS members who were appointed by former President Clinton, the Washington Blade reports. Most of the remaining Clinton appointees advocate HIV prevention strategies that include condom use and "safer sex" techniques, as well as abstinence. Some AIDS advocates "expressed concern" that the Bush administration may fill the positions with "conservative ideologues" who favor abstinence-only education programs. Bill Pierce, a spokesperson for HHS Secretary Tommy Thompson, said, "No one should take offense or be surprised about this. It's standard practice for any new administration to bring in its own people for positions like this." According to an anonymous source, Washington, D.C.-based AIDS advocate Brent Minor, who is HIV-positive, will be the only council member appointed by Clinton to retain a position. The Blade reports that some AIDS advocates were "pleased" to learn this week that Republican activist David Greer, a member of the board of governors of the Human Rights Campaign, will be one of the current administration's appointees to the council (Chibbaro, Washington Blade, 11/22).