Medical privacy issues in the age of AIDS: legislative options
Edgar, H.; Sandomire, H.
American journal of law & medicine 16(1-2): 155-222
1990
ISSN/ISBN: 0098-8588 PMID: 2285047 Document Number: 248054
Promises of confidentiality of HIV-related medical records and protection from discrimination based on HIV seropositivity are two of the legislative inducements state governments have offered to encourage voluntary HIV testing. Yet neither can be granted without impact on others whose interests range from those of a lover to those of an insurer. Politics as well as practicalities prevent the absolute protection of records from unauthorized disclosure and of individuals from discrimination. This article details the already enacted statutory compromises that have been made to resolve the conflicts of these competing interests and closely examines the myriad fine decisions made in reaching those legislative decisions.