In 1987 the New Hampshire Division of Public Health Services had a bill introduced in the legislature to improve contact tracing and establish statewide public education on human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection, transmission, and disease control. The governor unexpectedly intervened through a proposed amendment to add mandatory premarital testing. By the summer of 1987, the AIDS issue in New Hampshire had become devoted to everything but AIDS. It revolved around presidential preferences, a governor's show of strength, and legislative grandstanding. As a result, substantive progress in curbing the further transmission of the virus through education, testing, and behavioral changes was stymied. New Hampshire's problem stemmed from too little education of the public and elected officials to permit genuine debate and unbiased consideration of the AIDS issue. The New Hampshire experience also harmed relationships between decisionmakers, further confused and frightened the public, and delayed care and public education for a least a year. To avoid similar problems other New England states should build a central coalition whose voice is reason and whose membership represents a broad spectrum of respected medical and community organizations. Working with governors, this central coalition should establish a plan and defines specific actions. 15 reference notes. (Author abstract modified)