The operations and effectiveness of the Centers for Disease Control's (CDC) human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) counseling and testing programs were reviewed. CDC officials were interviewed; documents pertaining to CDC counseling and testing programs were obtained; and public health departments receiving CDC funds in Colorado, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, Virginia, New York City, and San Francisco were visited. Policies and procedures for performing HIV counseling and testing were reviewed at these locations and records kept on program operations were examined. Sixteen counseling and testing sites funded by the grantees were visited. The literature on counseling and testing programs was reviewed, the Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) Counseling and Testing Act of 1988 was analyzed, and AIDS advocacy groups were met with to obtain their views. Based on this review and analysis of federal counseling and testing legislation debated during the 100th Congress, five salient issues were identified: (1) oversight and evaluation of grantee performance; (2) outreach to intravenous drug users; (3) follow-up and long-term counseling; (4) implementation of partner notification; and (5) antidiscrimination protection for persons infected with HIV. Preliminary findings on these issues should facilitate Congressional oversight and deliberations on federal HIV policy. (NB)