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On Thursday, Georgia Gov.
Sonny Perdue signed into a law a measure that will require health care
providers to include HIV testing as part of standard prenatal exams. A
pregnant woman's refusal to take the test would be noted in her medical
record.
Currently, patients must request
HIV testing
separately as part of their prenatal lab work. Physicians,
however, automatically test for measles, syphilis, and hepatitis, said
Augusta-based physician Greg Cook. "The whole purpose of this is we really
want more women to get tested for HIV and if they're pregnant, not only can
we refer the mother to infectious disease [care] and treatment, but it's
very important for the baby," the OB-GYN said.
The bill's sponsor, Rep. Sharon Cooper (R-Marietta), said more widespread
testing could diagnose women who did not consider themselves to be at risk
for HIV.
Under the new law, pregnant women testing positive for HIV will be referred
to the state Department of Human Resources for counseling on medical care.
Florida Times-Union (05.18.07):: Vicky
Eckenrode |
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