privacy and HIV/AIDS

[James Love <love@tap.org>]

I asked Bruce if I could post this to med-privacy.. an he said fine.
jl

---------- Forwarded message ----------
Date: Thu, 02 Nov 1995 16:41:47 EST
From: Shefrin, Bruce <shefrin@lemoyne.edu>
To: love@Essential.ORG
Subject: RE: Deirdre Mulligan's defense of Bennett Medical Records Bill

Hi,
	To Lee and others on the issue of privacy and HIV/AIDS.
In New York State there are rules regarding confidentiality
that appear to me to undermine public health policies, rules that
treat HIV/AIDS differently than other STDs or gunshot wounds
(mandatory reporting by doctors) or TB, rules that (until 
recently changed) did not require mothers to be informed of 
their newborn's HIV status, or did not require HIV+ expectant
mothers from being required to take measures that statistically 
reduce the chance of the child contracting the virus.  Much of 
the reasoning behind this special status is political (the clout 
of AIDS activists), though I realize that fear of likely discrim-
ination is perhaps a valid reason in some circumstances.
	Would someone who knows comment on the accuracy of my 
observation and provide an argument in favor of the special
confidentiality status of HIV/AIDS even when there are
negative public-health consequences of privacy rights?  Thanks.
				Bruce