AB 2899 (Portantino, D--Pasadena), Sponsored by AIDS Healthcare
Foundation (AHF), Overhauls Counseling Model for HIV Testing Programs;
Bill Eliminates Outdated 'One Size Fits All' Approach for More Prudent
Public Health Approach
SACRAMENTO, Calif.--(Business Wire)--
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF), the operator of the largest
non-government HIV testing program in California, today praised the
California Legislature for its passage this week of Assembly Bill 2899
(Portantino, D--Pasadena).
"AB 2899 will revolutionize the way we do HIV testing in
California, and we strongly urge the Governor to sign this bill," said
Michael Weinstein, President of AIDS Healthcare Foundation. "Today, in
government-funded programs, extensive education and counseling is
required for every person regardless of how many times they might have
been tested. Treating the young person, who is testing for the
first time the same as a person in their forties or fifties who has
been tested dozens of times doesn't make sense. This important reform
will allow AHF, the largest HIV tester in California, to do three
times as many tests per hour as we do now. The unanimous approval of
the legislature for this common sense approach to HIV testing is very
encouraging."
The bill, known as the Sexually Transmitted Diseases and HIV/AIDS
Counseling Reform Bill, unanimously cleared both chambers of the
Legislature this week--clearing the California Assembly (64-0) earlier
today after clearing the Senate in a 36 to 0 vote yesterday.
"This bill brings the requirements for HIV counseling in line with
where we are today in our knowledge and understanding of HIV/AIDS and
other STDs, and it will allow us to focus our counseling efforts where
they are most needed--to those at high risk and those who may test
positive," said Joey Terrill, Acting Director of Public Affairs for
AIDS Healthcare Foundation, co-sponsor of the bill. "The California
Legislature has recognized the importance of this prudent public
health legislation with its unanimous passage in both chambers. When
this bill is chaptered into law, it will allow the Department of
Public Health and the State Office of AIDS far more flexibility in its
counseling regulations to best serve and reflect the needs of
communities throughout California."
AB 2899 codifies the changes that testing organizations need to
conform their practices to current needs and to facilitate the swift
introduction of newer counseling models by the Office of AIDS.
About AHF
AIDS Healthcare Foundation (AHF) is the nation's largest
non-profit HIV/AIDS healthcare provider. AHF currently provides
medical care and/or services to more than 80,000 individuals in 20
countries worldwide in the US, Africa, Latin America/Caribbean and
Asia. Additional information is available at www.aidshealth.org
AIDS Healthcare Foundation
Ged Kenslea, 323-860-5225
Mobile: 323-791-5523
gedk@aidshealth.org
or
Lori Yeghiayan, 323-860-5227
Mobile: 323-377-4312
lori.yeghiayan@aidshealth.org
Copyright Business Wire 2008
