NY Passes HIV Testing, Needle Program Amendments
July 31, 2010 by Andrea Toochin
Filed under Featured, Nutri-Life
New York Governor David Paterson has signed a bill (S8227/A11487) that will force doctors to offer patients ages 13 to 64 an HIV test. New York has the highest rate of AIDS in the nation, with the NYC Department of Health and Mental Hygiene noting that AIDS is the third leading cause of death for those residents 65 and younger. The disease, which was once most common in the gay community and among IV drug users, is also now prevalent in the black community.
HIV-1 Cynthia Goldsmith, Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
According to a City Limits article, the legislation was put together by Democratic Senator Thomas Duane and Democrat Assembly Member Richard Gottfried. The law, which will require physicians to ask their patients if they want an HIV test, will eliminate some of the barriers that require written consent.
The bill allows oral consent for tests and will enable testing of a deceased person. Another bill recently signed amends laws regulating the needle exchange program for drug users, which is aimed at lowering the spread of diseases such as HIV and Hepatitis C.
Click here for the press release from the Governor’s office
Click here for City Limits article
Click here for a list of free anonymous testing clinics in NYC. Bring a friend, and while you’re there, grab some free condoms!
Click here for a list of places where you can get free condoms.
