Posts Tagged ‘2010 Proposed Legislation’
Oppose House Bill 350 – We want physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. with training and education!
HIV and AIDS healthcare in Kentucky is decimated; the Commonwealth allowed the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program to expire. Now, lawmakers in Frankfort want to remove HIV/AIDS training requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Since treatment options change rapidly, it is imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS.
The health of over 5,000 low-income Kentuckians living with HIV are already in grave danger without the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program, and House Bill 350 will place the lives of those at risk of infection in grave danger.
» The Aids Volunteers of Lexington (AVOL) issues a position paper about the Kentucky AIDS Drug Assistance Program. (view).
» Joint Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group action alert with Kentucky Equality Federation. (view)
Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group today condemned House Bill 350 as ethically irresponsible and a crime against anyone living with HIV/AIDS
Lexington, KY (VIA PRWeb) February 10, 2010 – Two statewide advocacy groups, Kentucky Equality Federation and the Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy Action Group today condemned House Bill 350 as ethically irresponsible and a crime against anyone living with HIV/AIDS.
House Bill 350 seeks to remove HIV/AIDS training and education requirements for licensed service providers such as physicians, registered nurses, social workers, etc. Both organizations are opposed to the legislation because treatment options change rapidly, making it imperative that all health care professionals know the physical manifestations of HIV/AIDS. It is a matter of getting people in the proper care as soon as possible. This could be the difference in a healthy outcome or multiple misdiagnoses that would end up costing more financially either for the patient themselves or for the taxpayers of Kentucky.
Removing HIV/AIDS Education and Training Requirements
The Kentucky HIV/AIDS Advocacy & Action Group (“KHAAG”) is deeply concerned with House Bill 350, which remains in the House Standing Committee on Health and Welfare. House Bill 350 would remove the requirements that podiatrists, physicians, acupuncturists, physician’s assistants, athletic trainers, chiropractors, dentists, dental hygienists, registered nurses, advanced registered nurse practitioners, licensed practical nurses, pharmacists, optometrists, physical therapists, laboratory personnel, and social workers complete HIV/AIDS education and training as a condition of licensure or practice in the Commonwealth.
KHAAG and Kentucky Equality Federation will continue to monitor House Bill 350 and take appropriate action(s) should the Committee pass the legislation to the House floor.