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HIV list plan greeted with caution Directory would ease medical referrals By PETER WONG Jackson County health officials and others say good results could come from a state proposal to compile a temporary list of names of people infected with HIV. One person, who has the virus that causes AIDS, said the state will have to consider carefully how it wants to expand its disease reporting system to link HIV-infected people with services. "It sounds well-intentioned, but I think there could be a strong backlash," said David Wilson of Ashland, who spoke for the Abdill-Ellis Lambda Community Center. "There are people who will be discouraged, and people who will be made to feel uncomfortable and possibly not seek services, because of a fear of job, or other forms, of discrimination. "I think it would be incumbent on the state Health Division to educate people so they see this as a safe and confidential program." Wilson said Tuesday he himself had no problem with the state's proposal but questioned the basis for reporting HIV. The state Health Division has not required reporting of people infected with the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). Last week, it proposed to continue confidential testing but require the names of those who test positive for the virus to be reported to it for referral to local medical and prevention services. Once referrals were complete, the names would be converted to codes and removed from case reports. "Basically we would do a follow-up visit to make sure that person has the opportunity to get not only the appropriate treatment for HIV but also access to other services," said Al Solochier, county HIV/AIDS program coordinator and a certified AIDS nurse. "It's pretty much the doctor's prerogative now to refer them to us, if they are aware we have services for people who are HIV positive." Solochier said a county referral can ease the way for people with HIV to obtain high-cost drugs through a state assistance program. The Health Division does keep track of HIV-infected people who develop full-blown acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS), which leaves the body defenseless against infection. There is no known cure. The virus is spread through an exchange of body fluids, usually through sexual intercourse or intravenous use of illegal drugs. The Health Division proposal, which goes to the Public Health Advisory Board, would continue anonymous testing for people who do not want to disclose their names. In meetings around Oregon, including one in Jackson County this fall, the division heard concerns about name reporting for HIV, although 31 states have some form of it. "The proposal presented reflects the values articulated in community forums," said Dr. Mark Loveless, HIV program director for the division. Solochier said if the board proceeds with the proposal and the Health Division writes rules to put it into effect, the change probably will affect doctors most because they conduct most tests for HIV statewide and locally. Of 9,501 tests conducted in Jackson County during 1997 and 1998, 12 new people tested positive for HIV. The Jackson County Health and Human Services Department, which conducted 1,696 of those tests, reported two new HIV cases. Hank Collins, county health and human services director, said local reaction to the state proposal has been restrained for the most part. "There has not been that much talk about it here," he said. "Most of it has been in Portland, where you have the overwhelming majority of people with HIV." Mail Tribune Copyright � The Mail Tribune 1999, Medford, Oregon USA