Business Wire - Thursday November 12, 1998
The rule will help local health departments prevent the spread of the HIV virus, according to Mary Selecky, acting secretary of the State Department of Health, which drafted the rule.
Local and state public health departments collect information on more than 75 infectious diseases and conditions, including AIDS. But concerns about discrimination against people who have HIV has so far prevented health officials from gathering information about this disease.
To protect personal privacy, the draft rule says information identifying individuals cannot be released except if specifically required by law or authorized in writing by the patient. Other protections in the proposed rule include limits on how information can be used and requiring employees with access to HIV information to sign confidentiality agreements.
The proposal also directs local health departments to ensure that anonymous testing is available for people who do not want their identity revealed to anyone. Physicians and other providers must tell people anonymous testing is available before they prescribe an HIV test for someone.
The State Board of Health will determine what requirements are in the final rule, which they are expected to adopt early next year. At today's meeting, the draft rule will be discussed and the Board will take public comment.
Contact: Washington State Department of Health Renee Guillierie, 360/236-4079 Pager 360/971-3835 OR John Peppert, 360/236-3427 http://epsilon.doh.wa.gov/
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