This is a printer friendly version of an article from Nurse.com
To print this article open the file menu and choose Print.

Back

New Bill Would Require Hiv Testing For Pregnant Women

In February, the Colorado Senate approved bill S.B. 179 requiring HIV testing for pregnant women to prevent mother-to-child-transmission of the virus, reported the Colorado Springs Gazette. The bill would make several changes to a current state law regarding communicable diseases, and the HIV provision allows pregnant women to opt out of testing. Sen. Lois Tochtrop (D-Thornton.), a nurse and the bill’s sponsor, said the risk of transmission can be reduced from 25% to about 2% with drugs and preventive care. Sen. Dave Schultheis (R-Colorado Springs.) was the only senator to vote against the bill.