HIV Digest	HIV Digest Archive

The Washington state Board of Health voted unanimously to record the names of people who test positive for HIV. A temporary version of name-based reporting had been in effect since March.

The move is an effort to ensure the continuity of federal HIV/AIDS funds, whose allocation formula will include HIV cases beginning in October. "We're pragmatic," said Dr. Bob Wood, director of the HIV/AIDS program at Public Health - Seattle and King County. "We want the most money possible for our region."

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In July, CDC notified state health officials that HIV cases must be reported by name, rather than by code, as Washington has been doing since 1998. Some AIDS service organizations expressed opposition but ultimately acknowledged the state had no choice.

In December, eight community organizations serving Washington's estimated 9,000 HIV-positive residents wrote the state Department of Health to ask that the rule change include a "kill clause" to suspend name-based reporting if the federal government ever changes its policy. Board members, however, included a clause requiring only a review if the federal policy changes. Ania Beszterda, policy and community coordinator for the Lifelong AIDS Alliance, said none of the organizations' concerns was addressed in the new policy.

The organizations also opposed the rule's provision allowing local health departments to keep patients' names on file. Currently, local health departments convert the names of HIV patients to code after 90 days. Board member David Crump said he understands the groups' confidentiality concerns but security measures, including limited access to databases, will mean the names are safe at the local level.

Anonymous testing will continue to be an option. Wood said the 38 states that have name-based reporting have not seen a drop in testing.

Editor's Note: from the Seattle Posy-Intelligencer