EMS Officials Work to Restore Ryan White Legislation
WASHINGTON, D.C. — National EMS officials are working to resuscitate a life-saving measure axed by Congress. When a patient tests positive for HIV, AIDS or other serious illnesses, the hospital staff notifies the EMS personnel who handled the call. Unless EMS officials are successful, that protection will be dropped. The notification measure was eliminated when politicians reviewed the Ryan White legislation. "They apparently asked a number of people about why it was included, and no one justified it," said Lisa Meyer, of Cornerstone Government Affairs. "No one associated with EMS was asked."
Right now, the law remains intact. And, EMS officials are hoping to get that section restored.
If they are not successful, a hospital would be in violation of federal HIPAA laws if they notify responders, Meyer said.
On Thursday, EMS officials from various organizations including Cornerstone, NAEMT, IAFC and others will participate in a conference call to discuss the issue. "We will be talking about what we need to do to rectify it," Meyer said, adding that the stakeholders include emergency physicians groups as well. "It's important that we get the provision. People need to know if they've been exposed to something," she said.