AIDS has created severe economic and organizational problems for the American health care system. Health care workers have also felt the impact of AIDS in increased stress, anxiety, and workloads. The American health care system should begin coordinated long-term planning for inpatient, outpatient, and community support services for AIDS sufferers. Because of the epidemic nature of AIDS, hospitals have had to change their physical facilities, develop educational programs for staff, find alternatives for inpatient care, and lobby legislatures for increased public money for treatment and care. 96 references.