A California bill
awaiting Gov. Arnold Schwarzenegger's signature would
test out new streamlined HIV testing as well as make
drugs for sexually transmitted diseases more
accessible.
The bill, an
amended piece of legislature called AB 2280 pushed by
out assemblyman Mark Leno of San Francisco, would pilot
an innovative new testing model for HIV. Currently the
state spends over $8 million on anonymous HIV testing.
However, many of those individuals are at a relatively
low risk of contracting HIV.The new method would
test high-risk individuals already seeking help
with drug addiction or reporting unprotected sex.
"AB 2280 prompted
a discussion among key stakeholders, and a new HIV
test counseling model will be piloted that streamlines the
testing process and targets those who can benefit most
from one-on-one counseling," Leno said. "I am hopeful
that we can increase the number of people tested when
a streamlined HIV-test counseling process is rolled
out statewide in July 2007."
If passed, Leno's
bill would also allow physicians to provide a patient
diagnosed with gonorrhea additional antibiotic drugs for
their sex partner or partners. (The Advocate)