| May 18, 2012 |  |
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Spectrum Health supports bill to remove separate consent form for HIV testing
by Angel
Mon, 04/05/2010 - 1:20pm
GRAND RAPIDS — West Michigan’s largest health system wants to repeal a state mandate requiring patients to sign a separate consent form to be tested for HIV, saying it creates barriers to treatment. But some advocates for HIV/AIDS patients fear a slippery slope. “The goal is to remove the testing barrier because the earlier we can diagnose the easier it is to treat the disease and the less likely people unknowingly transmit the virus to other people,” said Dr. Mimi Emig, an infectious disease physician for Spectrum Health Medical Group. read more... What is your opinion? Consent for HIV testing in medical facilities... |
Niles Angel, I would be
Niles
Angel, I would be particularly curious to find out your opinion on the legislation. I live in a state (MS) where consent is not required for testing purposes, and the results of the tests are kept loosely confidential - forwarding not only to the county health department, state health department, CDC, and who knows where else. I'm particularly concerned for individuals negatively affected when this information is released. I have two friends who lived in Kentucky whose results were released to the local health department where one of the guy's ex-girlfriend worked. She then told the entire community of his status. The two guys house (including cars) were burned to the ground. They were fired from their jobs, and they are now both living on one of the boy's mother's floor. It is a sad story, but not an unusual story. I do not particularly think that this type of legislation removes any type of stigma and should not be lauded or promoted as such. Just my opinion, Niles