Posted on: Thursday, 28 June 2007, 12:06 CDT
Governor Signs Bill to Make HIV Testing Routine With Verbal Consent
By Belleville News-Democrat, Ill.

Jun. 28--Illinois Gov. Rod R. Blagojevich signed a bill Wednesday that will make HIV testing a
routine part of general medical care.

The bill will allow medical providers to give an HIV test after receiving verbal consent from a
patient, rather than written consent, which was required before the bill was signed. The test
will now be administered as part of routine check-ups and blood work and is expected to
increase the number of Illinoisans who are tested for HIV/AIDS and increase the awareness
regarding knowledge of HIV status.

The bill, Senate Bill 929, makes testing simpler for people and is expected to allow more HIV
infections to be detected at earlier stages. Early detection means early care, services and
treatment for people affected by the disease.

Medical providers must offer patients an opportunity to ask questions about the HIV test but
allows patients to decline receiving the test.

When the San Francisco Health Department went to verbal consent for HIV testing, that
department saw a significant increase in HIV test rates and the awareness of HIV status.

The U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention recommends HIV testing for all patients.
Although the bill signed by Gov. Blagojevich eliminates the requirement for written consent,
the legislation does not make HIV testing mandatory. Patients still have the right to refuse
all testing.

The law goes into effect June 1, 2008.

visit http://www.belleville.com.