Important note: Information in this article was accurate in 2009. The state of the art may have changed since the publication date.
United Press International - July 16, 2009
Diego Del Rio has filed a lawsuit alleging Dr. Brett Bolton of the Age Defying Surgical Center in Fort Lauderdale, Fla., refused him treatment because Del Rio is HIV-positive, The Miami Herald said Wednesday.
"He just turned around and said our policy is we do not accept any patients that have HIV or a history of hepatitis," Del Rio alleges. "I was completely perplexed. Just because I'm an HIV-positive individual doesn't make me less of an individual than anyone else."
Neither Bolton nor his attorney commented to the Herald about the lawsuit, which seeks at least $15,000 in damages.
The Florida Health Department spokeswoman Eulinda Smith said it is illegal under state law to deny a person medical treatment because they are HIV-positive.
"HIV patients are covered under the Americans with Disabilities Act," Smith told the Herald.
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