Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 1991. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
The Associated Press; Monday, September 30, 1991
At the annual FMA convention, doctors took less than 15 minutes Saturday to vote down the proposal for mandatory testing.
"The public expects more of us," said Pensacola physician R. Bradford Pyle, who was one of half a dozen doctors voting in favor of mandatory testing.
"I don't think anybody believes that in three years we won't all be tested for AIDS by our hospitals," Pyle said. "The liability issue is just too great."
The Florida Medical Association proposal does call for mandatory HIV testing of patients if a physician considers them high risk, and for disclosure for HIV test results on patients' medical charts.
The FMA vote comes after Kimberly Bergalis appeared before Congress on Thursday appealing for mandatory testing and disclosure of test results for health care workers.
The 23-year-old Fort Pierce woman is believed to have been infected with AIDS by Stuart dentist Dr. David Acer.
But Miami pathologist Dr. David L. Seckinger, chairman of the Florida Medical Association HIV committee, argued that "there is no major responsible scientific group that has advocated mandatory testing."
Most physicians appeared to have agreed with Dr. Fredrick H. Reddy of Hillsborough County who told delegates "we are treating AIDS as a political disease."
In other FMA business, the organization voted not to begin building a war chest to fund a 1992 referendum that would cap jury awards in personal injury cases.
A survey had indicated the overwhelming majority of Florida physicians favor funding a referendum.
Copyright 1991/The Associated Press. Reproduced with permission. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the Permissions Desk, The Associated Press, 50 Rockefeller Plaza, New York, NY 10020.
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Copyright © 1991 - Associated Press. Reproduction of this article (other than one copy for personal reference) must be cleared through the AP Permissions Desk.
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