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The AMA Adopts a Resolution Opposing HIV Criminalization
June 10, 2014 -
The American Medical Association's (AMA) House of Delegates, the principal policy-making body of the AMA, has adopted a resolution condemning
discrimination based on HIV status, including mandatory discharge from the military based solely on HIV, and supporting the modernization
of HIV related criminal laws. The resolution encourages; vigorous enforcement of existing anti-discrimination laws and the
incorporation of HIV in future federal anti-discrimination legislation. It also supports making federal and state laws consistent
with current medical knowledge, avoiding criminal punishment based on health and disability status, and educating the public
on the stigma and negative health consequences of HIV criminalization.
The resolution is the result of a process begun when a medical student attended an HIV criminalization workshop hosted by
the Positive Justice Project (PJP), a
national campaign leading the fight against HIV criminalization, and
became interested in engaging in policy advocacy. The medical student enlisted the support of two fellow students, and together
they suggested passing an amendment to the existing AMA resolution on HIV discrimination.
Several other national players have already issued statements on HIV criminalization, including the Presidential Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS (PACHA), the
HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA),
the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors (NASTAD) ,
and the U.S. Conference of Mayors. These
statements draw from the first national Consensus Statement on
HIV criminalization released by PJP in July 2012.
Many have also called for an end to HIV criminalization noting that
there is no evidence that criminal penalties aid in HIV prevention, and that medical and healthcare providers should not participate in
the criminal prosecutions of their patients. In fact, involving medical and healthcare providers in the criminal prosecutions of their
patients raises serious trust and confidentiality concerns that can have a powerful disincentive and chilling effect on HIV medical
care and treatment.
In Spring 2013, CHLP Staff Attorney and PJP Coordinator, Rashida Richardson, worked closely with the medical students on various HIV
criminalization issues. The students believed that the largest association of physicians and medical students in the United States
should take a stand on this important issue at the intersection of medicine, public health, criminal justice, and human rights.
More students become involved and they proposed a resolution that was
passed by the student section of the AMA in November 2013.
Earlier this year, Richardson enrolled the HIVMA and the Gay and Lesbian Medical Association (GLMA) to help provide guidance and support
to the medical students as they engage in further advocacy. Finally, with minor amendments, the AMA's Reference Committee of the Council
on Constitution and Bylaws recommended the resolution for adoption, and it was passed on June 9, 2014 by the delegates attending
the annual meeting in Chicago.
CHLP would like to thank all of the medical students who were the driving force behind passage of this resolution, especially Phillip
Zegelbone,MD Candidate at the University of South Florida College of Medicine.
The text of the final resolution is forthcoming.
Related
The American Medical Association Medical Student Section Passes A Resolution on HIV Criminalization
Blog Post | Posted November 27, 2013
President's Advisory Council on HIV/AIDS(PACHA) approves resolution calling for federal action against HIV criminalization
Blog Post | Posted February 7, 2013
The U.S. Conference for Mayors Passes Resolution Calling for Elimination of HIV Criminalization Laws
Blog Post | Posted June 25, 2013
NASTAD Releases Statement Calling for An End to HIV Criminalization
Blog Post | Posted March 15, 2011
HIVMA Urges Repeal of HIV-Specific Criminal Statutes, The HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA)
Blog Post | Posted April 5, 2013
HIVMA Urges Repeal of HIV-Specific Criminal Statutes, The HIV Medicine Association (HIVMA)
Resource | Posted November 5, 2012
The American Medical Association Medical Student Section Passes A Resolution on HIV Criminalization
Blog Post | Posted November 27, 2013
HIV Criminalization: A Physician's Perspective
Blog Post | Posted May 13, 2014
Positive Justice Project Consensus Statement on the Criminalization of HIV in the United States, Positive Justice Project/Center for HIV Law and Policy Resource | Posted July 24, 2012
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Source: http://www.hivlawandpolicy.org/news/ama-adopts-a-resolution-opposing-hiv-criminalization
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