HIV REPORTING: Activists Expected To Push Davis For Unique Identifier System
Yesterday's federal recommendation that states implement n ames-based HIV reporting systems "will create an early test of the rapport between Governor-elect Gray Davis and the state's vocal and politically astute gay constituency," the San Francisco Chronicle reports. Davis spokesperson Michael Bustamante "said yesterday that the governor-elect will probably not commit himself soon" on which type of system the state should implement. However, AIDS activists are likely to begin lobbying for unique identifier legislation similar to the type Gov. Pete Wilson vetoed last year. Eileen Hansen, co-chair of the California HIV Surveillance Coalition, "said AIDS activists believe that Davis is sympathetic to arguments in favor of a coded system." She said, "This will provide a test of Gov. Davis' stand on the issue." The Chronicle reports that once last year's bill was vetoed, the San Francisco Department of Public Health began developing its own HIV coded reporting system. Dr. Herminia Palacio, special policy adviser at the department, said the system may be ready within the next six months "regardless of what decisions are made at the state level." Hansen said, however, "I don't believe the CDC recommendations are appropriate in that they are clearly promoting names-based reporting," adding, "What is reasonable is to allow states to decide" (Russell, 12/11).
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