Wth??? I haven't heard anything like that before.

Well.....today I called the New Mexico Dept of Health (whom HIV poz, etc are reported to). And yes, it's true. Providers are required to provide them the name, address and phone number of any HIV patient they see. And HIPAA and consent doesn't apply. Unbelievable.

Fortunately the man I spoke with was very supportive, saying they're extremely protective of the info and that he agrees my provider went about it all wrong with me. And that I SHOULD'VE been informed first!! I told him this requirement is traumatic and feels like a witch hunt. He was nice and understood. He said if I want, someone will call me and help me find another provider, and I can report what happened with the bad provider.

I'm stunned. After all I've seen and learned in six years about the hard earned rights given to poz people, that this mandatory violation of privacy exists?? It's very jarring. All the activists, celebrity advocates, deceased ones that worked so hard gaining us rights and dignity...and we still have this violation???

Maybe my view is because I was poz in California for so long. The major cities treat poz patients very well. The overall attitude towards us, within the HIV community and providers, was so empathetic, caring and dignified. Oh well.

It was not difficult. It actually added a layer of comfort, since I didn't have pick up the phone or text people to let them know I am positive. It was done all anonymously. You don't have to tell anyone about your status if you don't want. I only tell sexual partners. I have only had one problem and that was a hospital. It was a new nurse that was fearful. He was so afraid and nervous that he couldn't stick me, he had to get a different nurse. First time I have ever had a problem. I have told dental care teams and they double glove and get to work. No different than someone with any other blood borne disease.

alberth232 that sounds awful. Was that hard for you? I'm scarred from being treated mean and rejected by people that I shouldn't have told about my status.

Yes it sure does. And the Dr insisted every state does it but I don't think so.