California Could Become First State to Require Insurers To Cover HIV Testing

By Kenny Goldberg / Health Reporter, KPBS Public Broadcasting

Published September 25, 2008 at 11:49 AM PDT

This story was published more than 15 years ago.

A bill aimed at making H-I-V screening a routine part of medical care is awaiting a decision by Governor Schwarzenegger. The measure would require California insurers to cover H-I-V tests. KPBS Report

A bill aimed at making H-I-V screening a routine part of medical care is awaiting a decision by Governor Schwarzenegger. The measure would require California insurers to cover H-I-V tests. KPBS Reporter Kenny Goldberg has more.

The State Office of AIDS estimates more than 40,000 Californians have HIV but don't know it.

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Federal health officials say HIV-positive people who don't know their status are responsible for up to 70 percent of all new infections.

Ged Kenslea (KENS-lah) is with the AIDS Healthcare Foundation .

Ged Kenslea : So in order for us to break the chain of new infections here in California and really elsewhere throughout the country, we really need to make HIV testing as widespread, routine, and normal as possible.

Insurers complain the requirement could drive up healthcare costs.

An HIV test runs about 20 dollars.

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Kenny Goldberg, KPBS News.