Mandatory HIV Testing for Everyone!

[OneFinger]

Results of a new national survey of 864 physicians and 1,339 members of the general public revealed that a significant majority of both groups believe that mandatory, federally funded HIV testing would improve the overall health of the U.S. population.

 

Read the whole story at:

 

http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050216005804&newsLang=en

[HotdadENYC]

>Results of a new national survey of 864 physicians and 1,339

>members of the general public revealed that a significant

>majority of both groups believe that mandatory, federally

>funded HIV testing would improve the overall health of the

>U.S. population.

>

>Read the whole story at:

>

>http://home.businesswire.com/portal/site/google/index.jsp?ndmViewId=news_view&newsId=20050216005804&newsLang=en

>

 

Yeah, but would it STOP those infected guys and gals from spreading it? To know you have it is one thing; to know that you have spread it is quite another......

 

Doesn't matter WHO offers to pay for tests; a person has to be willing to submit to it. And if the government thinks that forced testing, paid for by the US, is going to help the situation, then I point backwards to diseases like polio and TB, which the govt DIDN'T take seriously and which still did substantial damage to our society.

 

And I also point to the "clean needle initiative", in which goverment officials thought they could stop the AIDS epidemic by providing drug users with clean utensils to ply their trade.

 

Lord Jesus, there are way too many straights (men and women) who are infected, and way too many drug users who will NEVER suffer from HIV. Keith Richards, are you listening?

 

While I believe that ANY information about sources of infection is valuable, I also believe that we should replace platitudes with real cash. And I WON'T get political here. Just inferring that OUR money should be better spent.

 

hd NYC

[+ deej]

Interesting survey. Take the responses of just over 1300 people and use it to represent the entire 3 million people in the US. And it was a web survey, which is easily skewed to serve the survey takers' agenda over the whopping TWO DAYS it was open.

 

I'm actually in favor of mandatory testing for everyone, but that assumes everyone routinely sees a doctor. Sadly, many Americans don't. (But that spins into a political discussion.)

 

What nobody seems willing to address is what to do with the results. We can't tattoo the positives. We can't restrict their rights. Legally, they're not even reportable to local health officials, unlike Syph infections. (Get THAT and you can expect a call or visit from your state health department. Doctors are required by law to report you.) HIV infections are covered by some weird privacy law.

 

I'm in favor of mandatory testing if someone will devise a viable plan that will DO something with the results. I haven't seen one yet. All we'd get is a whole lot of blood labs making a whole lot of money from taxpayers for no noticeable result.

[OneFinger]

>Interesting survey. Take the responses of just over 1300 people and use it to represent the entire 3 million people in the US. And it was a web survey, which is easily skewed to serve the survey takers' agenda over the whopping TWO DAYS it was open.

 

That's the same reaction I had! Not sure that "facts" support the recommendation.

 

>I'm actually in favor of mandatory testing for everyone... What nobody seems willing to address is what to do with the results.

 

This is where I have major problems with mandatory testing. I have intentionally chosen anonymous test facilities where I don't have to disclose my identity. There is no way in HELL that I want my HIV status (even if it is negative) residing in a health-related database. There is too much potential for discrimination for insurance purposes (including the ability to purchase health, life, or long-term care policies). x(

 

My teenage niece tried to purchase a private health care policy and was denied because she had consulted a doctor for menstrual cramps!! If health insurance can be denied because she saw a doctor for cramps (no meds were prescribed) then I shutter to think what the consequences would be for being in a high risk group for HIV.

[Guest]

>I point backwards to diseases like polio and

>TB, which the govt DIDN'T take seriously and which still did

>substantial damage to our society.

 

??? Polio has long been eradicated from the Western Hemisphere, and could easily be eradicated from the entire planet if the WHO felt like doing it. There has never been any effective treatment for polio, and not much the government could do until we had a vaccine, after which polio cases dropped like a lead cannonball. The government also goes to great lengths to control TB.

[Guest zipperzone]

>Interesting survey. Take the responses of just over 1300

>people and use it to represent the entire 3 million people in

>the US.

 

Call me wacko but I always thought the population of the USA was a tich more than that!

[Guest Tampa Yankee]

Suicide Isn't in the Political Lexicon

 

Will NEVER happen under any forseeable circumstances. Anymore we don't even invoke short term quarantine for those infected with highly contageous diseases like meningitis or scarlett fever.

 

The day our political leaders impose mandatory 'screening' for a behaviorally based disease (i.e. sex or IV drugs), well... did I mention that this will NEVER happen?

[+ deej]

I used invisible zeros, it seems. Sorry bout that.

[seaboy4hire]

I am all in favor of testing but what happens after that? Are we going to become like some countries where those who are positive put into camps and kept away from the general population? I for one would not go for that and I don't think that the public would either or at least I would hope not.

 

Hugs,

Greg

Greg Seattle Wa [email protected]

http://www.male4malescorts.com/reviews/gregseattle.html

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com

[VaHawk]

The ABSOULTELY!!! only Intelligent voice that has posted on this thread!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

[noviceny]

Exactly Greg !!! Personally, I agree with OneFinger cause I think it would be used by insurance companies.

 

Secondly, I remember the Nushawn Williams shit that hit the fan. I wonder if the government would disclose somebody's status, or declare them a public health risk, similiar to what happened to that guy. Please do not think that I have any sympathy or respect for the man, but the question of rights most definitely would be affected by mandatory testing...are we willing to take that risk ? Well, thats something each person has to decide for themselves...I dont know where I stand on this yet, but since its not really an issue yet (i.e. we are not voting on it) this will remain academic.

[seaboy4hire]

Hawk don't quite understand your reply could you explain?

 

Hugs,

Greg

Greg Seattle Wa [email protected]

http://www.male4malescorts.com/reviews/gregseattle.html

http://seaboy4hire.tripod.com

[noviceny]

I think he is saying that he agrees with ya Greg