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No
Mandatory HIV Testing of State Prisoners in Indiana
Indiana DOC officials estimate that
approximately 1% of state inmates are HIV positive but do not
know the exact number because Indiana does not have a
mandatory testing law for inmates. Although a bill was passed
by the state legislature last year that would require
mandatory HIV and Hepatitis C Virus testing for all inmates, it was vetoed
by the governor for budgetary reasons. This
testing is estimated to cost $173,285 per year. HIV testing is
available to inmates upon request. Experts recommend educating
and counseling prisoners to be voluntarily tested for HIV and
Hepatitis C Virus. (Indianapolis Star, 10/24/01)
Hepatitis
Hepatitis C Virus Costs the U.S. $5 Billion in 1997
A study reports that in 1997, hepatitis C
cost the U.S. approximately $5.46 billion in medical costs,
lost wages, and lost home production. Hepatitis C is the most
common blood-borne infection in the U.S. These costs are on
par with the cost of asthma in US for the same year ($5.8
billion). There are estimates that Hepatitis C Virus-related mortality could
triple within the next twenty years, indicating that increased
prevention, treatment, screening, and research are necessary.
(Arch Int Med 2001; 161 (18): 2231-2237.)
Massachusetts Canceling Hepatitis C Programs
The Massachusetts state legislature plans
to cut a program that teaches physicians and others at risk
for hepatitis C about the disease due to a budget impasse.
Although the Massachusetts state senate set aside $3.9 million
for the program for fiscal year 2002 (which began on July 1,
2001) the House did not allocate any funding. According to a
policy issued by the governor's office, agencies are to
operate on a lower budget. The program provided counseling and
education for those at risk for contracting hepatitis C and
raised awareness of people who were unaware they were infected
with Hepatitis C Virus. The cuts will affect education programs but will
have no effect on treatment funding. Approximately 110,000
people in Massachusetts are estimated to be infected with Hepatitis C Virus.
(Boston Herald, 10/5/01)
http://www.thebody.com/hepp/nov01/news.html#indiana
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