U.S. lifts restriction on visas to HIV-positive foreigners
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January 5, 2010 9:01 a.m. EST
http://www.cnn.com/2010/TRAVEL/01/04/us.hiv.visa/index.html?iref=allsearch
By Sean Phelan
Summary
The Department of Health and Human Services and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention have lifted the ban on non-residents with HIV, or human immunodeficiency virus receiving a visa or entering the US. They now believe that the disease is not of significance to public health. Since 1952, anyone with HIV was not able to enter. Next Monday, people with the virus will be able to attain a visa to enter the US. This will enable people living outside the US who have this disease to be reunited with their families. This also lifts HIV testing from medical screening to enter the country. However, this doesn't regard the current regulations from HHS, and is a "communicable disease of public-health significance." This still makes it tougher to get a visa for people with the virus.
Relation to Class
This relates to our studies in class because this is about people being able to immigrate here, and some challenges they face. Also, we learned about Ellis Island and medical screenings, and how there was no toleration for certain diseases.
Questions
1) Do you think that HIV is still a big enough deal to keep people out of the US?
2) Do you think HIV will become more of a problem because of this change?
3) Will HHS change the regulations about HIV?
Answers
1) I don't think that HIV is a big enough deal anymore to keep people with it out of America due to the nature of how it spreads.
2) I don't think that HIV willpresent a bigger problem because of this because more people are informed of it now and can stay safe from the disease.
3)I think that HHS will change the regulations if they see the CDC's decision doesn't have a negative impact.
Comments (4)
Philip C. said
at 8:49 pm on Jan 7, 2010
1. HIV is still a big situation today and I think they should ban people from entering the U.S. The reason why one person is could start infecting more people while getting a higher infection rate in the U.S while someone who does not have HIV.
2. Yes because like I said, there will be more infection rates.
3. Yes they will because STI is a big issue in the U.S and the department will make sure that either no one gets sick or reduce the damage as possible.
Danny U. said
at 10:33 am on Jan 10, 2010
1. I think that HIV is still a big enough deal and people who have it shouldn't be aloud in the United States. The reason why I think that is because a lot of people can get sick from it and it can spread fast.
2. Yes, I think that HIV will be more of a problem because right now there are a lot of people in America that have HIV and if you let in more then it will keep expanding and expanding.
3. Yes, the HHS will change the regulations because America doesn't want its citizens being sick. If they don't, protests will start in Washington D.C.
Jackson H. said
at 7:20 pm on Jan 10, 2010
1. I think that people with HIV should be allowed into the u.s. We now have much better ways of handling and treating the desies than before. We also have much more advanced methods of preventing the spread of the desies.
2. I think if the desies does expand it will be a minor change. We know a lot about preventing the spread of HIV.
3. They might change it just to protect the american citizens. Personally I dont think it's neccissary to chage it because it's not a big enough threat.
Aidan W. said
at 2:23 pm on Jan 11, 2010
1.I think that people with HIV should be allowed into the us they can get treated for it and the cant can't spread unless they "exchange" bodily fluids. and just because they are sick doesn't mean they are not human.
2. HIV can't be be more of a problem than it already is it wouldn't make a difference to the us there are people here who have those kinds of diseases and are not expelled from the U.S.
3. the HHs will have to change it it's there job to change regulations for the diseased. plus it's standard protocol to protect the citizens.
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