President Trump Continues PACHA

In an Executive Order issued on Friday, September 29, 2017, President Donald Trump continued a number of existing advisory committees whose operating authorities were set to expire, including the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA). The Executive Order continued 32 advisory committees that span a range of issues until September 30, 2019. Read the Presidential Executive Order on the Continuance of Certain Federal Advisory Committees.

PACHA is a Federal advisory committee that provides information, advice, and recommendations to the U.S. Secretary of Health and Human Services regarding programs, policies, and research to promote effective treatment, prevention, and cure of HIV disease and AIDS. The Council may have up to 25 members, including the Chair. Members and the chair are selected by the Secretary and offer particular expertise in, or knowledge of, matters concerning HIV and AIDS. Recent Council efforts have focused on HIV among women and girls and older adults, the impact of the opioid epidemic on HIV and hepatitis C infections, and strategies for addressing the high cost of HIV and hepatitis medications. PACHA also recently completed a thoughtful consultative process that yielded recommendations [PDF, 351 KB] to address and reduce HIV-related stigma. 

Since Ronald Reagan, each President has had a group of external experts and community representatives provide input on the Federal response to HIV. President Reagan established the Presidential Commission on the AIDS Epidemic in 1987. It was succeeded by the National Commission on AIDS, which was established by Congress and extended by President George H.W. Bush, operating from 1989-1993. PACHA was established by President Clinton in 1995 and has continued to exist and provide advice across four Administrations.  

The Office of HIV/AIDS and Infectious Disease Policy, within the Office of the Assistant Secretary for Health, provides management and support services for PACHA. 

We look forward to continuing to receive the advice and recommendations of members of the Council to inform Federal programs and policies as we work together with national, state, and local partners to respond to HIV across the United States. 

Learn more about PACHA on HIV.gov.