What is PA WAITING FOR? ( NJ leading the way with Aids Testing)

In six months a new law will be enforced, which mandates moving pregnant mothers and unborn babies to be tested for HIV. Because Governor Jon Corzine is on vacation, acting Gov. Richard J. Codey signed the law Wednesday at University Hospital in Newark. In an interview with the Associated Press, Codey stated “We can significantly reduce the number of infections to newborns and help break down the stigma associated with the disease" Codey said. "For newborns, early detection can be the ultimate lifesaving measure."
Mandatory testing for newborns is only in effect in three states- New York, Connecticut and Illinois. Michigan, Arkansas, Texas and Tennessee have similar laws to New Jersey’s testing of pregnant women.

According to the law, women will be tested in their third trimester unless they have religious objections. This law will go a long way towards controlling the spread of HIV from mother to child. Early detection can decrease the unborn child’s chances for receiving the virus.

According to the Center for Disease Control and Prevention, New Jersey is number nine out of the top ten states with Aids cases.
Pennsylvania is number eight on the list.

To see more statistics on HIV see the link below:

* http://www.cdc.gov/hiv/topics/surveillance/basic.htm#area


Seeing that is still a major killer of Americans in the United states, it is admirable that NJ is moving for legislation that will help control the spread of the disease. During this time in history you a have presidential candidate suggesting that quarantine on Aids patients and labeling Homosexuality as a public health risks is the best option. You have a number of politicians that seem to act as if the disease doesn’t exist at all. However more emphasis needs to be placed on education, testing and the prevention of spreading the disease. New Jersey should be applauded for taking these steps.

Since Pennsylvania is so high on the list of states with Aids cases, one might wonder, will Pennsylvania enact a law to ensure that newborns in Pennsylvania are tested? Will pregnant mothers in Philadelphia be urged to take an HIV test?

With the various meetings and issues they have to be concerned about one can be sure that the state legislators schedule is filled to capacity. However, seeing large number of women and children’s lives that could be saved, one would hope that they can really devote their attention to pondering over whether it is feasible to implement a similar law here in Pennsylvania. If New Jersey can do it why can’t we?