AIDS Testing
Two pieces of legislation passed by the Senate on July 18 would be devastating to the efforts to curb the AIDS epidemic in this country if allowed to become law. We believe that the public health must be protected and the best way to maintain and improve the public health is through the enforcement of universal infection control measures in the health care setting; education of the public, including the media and our officials, concerning the way the virus is transmitted; research and compassionate care for people affected by HIV.
The criminalization of HIV disease and mandatory HIV testing for health care workers are a disservice. The fact that polls show a majority of people in this country agree with mandatory testing for health care workers is a clear sign that more education is needed. The Centers for Disease Control should be taking an aggressive role in that education effort. The risk of transmission of HIV from health care workers to patients is a risk that the CDC says is virtually nonexistent!
Policies of mandatory testing and criminalization of HIV disease passed by the Senate have the full support of the Bush Administration. We must speak now. This is a matter of the health of the country.
KIM WILLIAM HUNTER
Director, HIV Program Services
South Bay Free Clinic, Manhattan Beach
Start your day right
Sign up for Essential California for news, features and recommendations from the L.A. Times and beyond in your inbox six days a week.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
