HIV travel ban may be lifted for infected visitors

[Lone_Star_Dem]

Source: MSNBC

Health officials applaud end to 22-year U.S. policy for travelers, immigrants

Foreigners who have HIV would be allowed to travel and immigrate to the United States under a plan by federal health officials to lift a 22-year ban on infected visitors that critics say was unnecessary from the start.

Officials at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention are seeking public comment through Aug. 17 on the proposal, which would remove HIV from the list of diseases that can bar entry to the country and do away with HIV testing as part of medical exams for permanent residence and, in some cases, travel visas.

“We’re trying to end the stigma and the discriminatory practice for a disease that doesn’t warrant exclusion for coming into this country,” said Dr. Martin Cetron, director of the CDC’s Division of Global Migration and Quarantine. “We have to appreciate this is not a threat we face from abroad.”
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The proposed rule comes more than a year after Congress voted to repeal 1987 restrictions on HIV-positive immigrants as part of a package of AIDS reforms proposed by President George W. Bush.

Read more: http://www.msnbc.msn.com/id/31910664/ns/health-aids/

[Swede Atlanta]

1. It is about time..........

Even as a gay man I was not opposed to the imposition of a ban on AIDS until the facts about it were known, i.e. how contagious, how it was transmitted, level of risk to others, etc.

But once it was known that this was not easily transmitted between persons except through bodily fluids, the ban should have been lifted. I would rather have spent the money used on enforcing the ban to fight the disease.

I applaud this move if it indeed comes to pass.

[pinto]

2. Good to hear. A lot has changed since 1987.

[TheWraith]

3. Good news.

Shall I warm up the crow for the cynics brigade?

[bitchkitty]

4. GOOD. It's high time they reversed this ridiculous policy. n/t