Proposed Health Code Changes Seek to Balance Privacy With Healthcare

SACRAMENTO — Proposed changes to California’s Health and Safety code seek to balance privacy concerns with access to healthcare for people with HIV.

The California code currently requires the disclosure of patient's HIV tests results to a handful of entities including certain government agencies, the patient’s attorney, medical emergency responders and those who handle donated body parts.

While the Health Insurance Portability and Accountability Act, or HIPAA, protects the confidentiality of reported AIDS cases by making unauthorized disclosure illegal, the law in recent years has become a barrier to delivering healthcare services to the very people it was meant to protect.

"This bill tries to find a way to keep the privacy screen in tact, while allowing the people who need the healthcare to get the services they need," Bonnie Lowenthal's spokesperson Will Shuck told XBIZ. "Laws that were enacted to protect people's privacy are now preventing people from getting access to healthcare."

“We absolutely have to protect people’s privacy,” Bonnie Lowenthal said. “But we also have to make sure that people get the healthcare they need and deserve.”

To strike that balance, AB 2590 provides very strict access to health data, and limits it only to healthcare providers, like AIDS Healthcare Foundation, that contract to deliver Medi-Cal services on behalf of the state. The information would not be available to employers, insurers or anyone else.

“We’re keeping the door closed pretty tight,” Lowenthal said.

Essentially the bill would simply make it easier for providers like AIDS Healthcare Foundation to contact people who might benefit from their services.

"The provider that is working with the state to provide these services is highly regulated by the state and under strict guidelines so that no other entity is allowed access to these medical records," Shuck said.

Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation, or AIM, spokeswoman Brooke Hunter, told XBIZ that they are working through the proposed legislation and will have more information soon on what it will mean for adult performers.

Copyright © 2024 Adnet Media. All Rights Reserved. XBIZ is a trademark of Adnet Media.
Reproduction in whole or in part in any form or medium without express written permission is prohibited.

More News

Seoul Authorities Force Cancellation of Adult Expo for 'Distorting Perceptions of Sex'

Seoul authorities repeatedly prevented 2024 KXF The Fashion — a popular Korean adult industry expo featuring Japanese AV performers — scheduled for this week from finding a suitable venue, leading organizers to cancel the event.

FSC to Hold Discussion on Adult Industry Rights With Congressional Candidate Joe Cohn

Free Speech Coalition will hold a virtual discussion with Joe Cohn, a strong advocate for the adult industry’s rights who is running for Congress in November.

Sophie Dee, Ricky Johnson to Deliver 'XBIZ Talks' at Miami Conference

XBIZ is pleased to announce that Sophie Dee and Ricky Johnson will each deliver an “XBIZ Talk” at next month’s XBIZ Miami conference

FSC to Host Webinar on Derisking and the Adult Industry

The Free Speech Coalition (FSC) is hosting a webinar on derisking, titled "Derisking: Examining Its Impact on the Adult Industry's Access to Banking," on April 24 at 11 a.m. (PDT).

Democratic Governor Fails to Veto Kansas Age Verification Bill

Kansas’ Democratic governor, Laura Kelly, expressed strong reservations about the state’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists, but ultimately decided not to veto it, allowing the legislation to become law by default without her signature.

FSC's Alison Boden Testifies Against California Age Verification Bill, Urges Action to Defeat It

Free Speech Coalition Executive Director Alison Boden testified Tuesday against AB 3080, California’s version of the age verification bills being sponsored around the country by anti-porn religious conservative activists.

Phoenix Marie Sues Aylo, Danny D Over Incident on Digital Playground Set

Phoenix Marie has filed a lawsuit against Aylo, performer/producer Danny D and other defendants, alleging she has suffered defamation and damage to her career over a 2023 incident on a Digital Playground set in Spain.

New Premium Creator Platform 'Lemon Social' Launches

Premium creator platform Lemon Social has debuted.

Atlanta Authorities Renew Attack on Adult Boutique Tokyo Valentino

The saga of beleaguered Georgia adult boutique Tokyo Valentino continues with a renewed attempt by authorities to shut down another of its locations.

MomPOV Producer Pleads Guilty in GirlsDoPorn Case

MomPOV producer Doug Wiederhold, who was formerly the partner of GirlsDoPorn owner Michael Pratt as well as the first male talent for GDP, pleaded guilty Thursday to a federal conspiracy charge.

Show More