Supplement
REPORT OF COMMITTEE ON INFECTIOUS DISEASES
CM-ID Report 1-A-07
Subject: Infectious Disease Policy Review
Presented by: Robert Kimbrough, MD, Chair
Referred to: Reference Committee on Public Health
House of Delegates policies included in the association's Policy Compendium are reviewed periodically for relevance and appropriateness.
15.012 HIV Home Testing Kits .The Texas Medical Association supports the availability and use of HIV home test kits and a physician visit to discuss individual behaviors that may put patients at risk of contracting HIV/AIDS. Home test kits should consist of a retractable lancet for use in extracting blood from the fingertip and a test card. The card is to be mailed to the company laboratory and a toll-free number may be dialed and personal identification number punched in to obtain results. Counseling should be provided by trained professionals for both positive and negative results (Committee on Infectious Diseases, p 111, A-97).
Committee members agreed that HIV testing is widely available through local health departments, clinics, and in physician offices, and recommends deletion of the policy.
Recommendation 1: Delete.
135.009 Immunizations Pneumococcal Pneumonia in Adults . The Texas Medical Association supports physician and public awareness on the importance of adult immunizations (Committee on Infectious Diseases, p 112, A-97).
Committee members agreed on the importance of adult immunizations and recommends retention of the policy.
260.040 Binational Tuberculosis Elimination Campaign : The Texas Medical Association supports the Binational Tuberculosis Elimination Campaign which was developed in 1995 by the Texas Department of State Health Services to address the rising incidence of tuberculosis along the U.S.-Mexico border region (Council on Public Health, p151, A-96).
Committee members agreed on the importance of eliminating tuberculosis, particularly along the U.S.-Mexico border region, and recommends retention of the policy.
Recommendation 2: Retain .
TMA House of Delegates: TexMed 2007