A telephone survey was conducted over the course of one year, from Fall 1987 to Fall 1988. In all 50 states and the District of Columbia, key personnel in the State Medicaid program, the AIDS coordinating office, and the agency charged with regulating private health insurers were interviewed regarding the incidence of HIV in the State and a series of policies that affect access to public and private insurance coverage and reimbursement for HIV-related health care. The researchers found data on the extent of the epidemic to be scanty at the state level, particularly on nonsymptomatic HIV infection and AIDS-related complex. States were rated on Medicaid services based on eligibility criteria and availability of a number of specified services. Private insurance benefits for each state were scored on the availability of insurance continuance guarantees, whether HIV/AIDS could be used as an excluded prior condition to deny reimbursement and the ability of insurers to cap reimbursements. Overall, the larger, higher income states with larger caseloads were found to be most active in policy development and regulation. 23 references, 9 tables.