Revised: Forcing an HIV test?

Ok let me rephrase this since I seem to have come across wrong with my point in my question. Yes I know that it's done for the safety of the staff and I know that it may seem like it's no big deal to just have a little blood drawn. That's not really my main "beef" with these people. What I am upset about is really the fact that they are saying they may refuse to give me further care if I decline the test. They took 5 vials of blood my first visit and never said a word about an HIV test. I just don't believe it's right to pretty much force me to take an HIV test when they know that from my previous records that I have not tested positive for it ever. And I do have to pay extra. I am not covered by Medicaid or insurance so every test they do on me costs me extra anyhow and to me this is an unnecessary test. But I am also not so stupid as to not have signed a release form that they have on hand that states I have declined the test, but they are still insisting it be done.

I was never required to have an HIV screening for my son's birth at a military hospital of all places. I don't see how they can refuse care to someone just because I don't feel the test is necessary, even with the signed release form. I'm sorry I wasn't clearer before and I don't mean to sound crazy, but it's hard not to take it personally when you know neither you or your spouse have HIV/AIDS.

I'm with you. My cousin's GF refused the test because she had no insurance and was paying every dime. I think it is wrong. Just say no. Offer them a bone. If they will provide signed paperwork that THEY will pay for this test, then you will consider it. That's what she told them and they went barking up someone else's tree.

I don't see how an HIV test protects their staff in any way, so that's a pretty useless excuse.

Just because you've never tested positive for it doesn't mean you don't have the virus. It can lie dormant for up to six months, and just because you know you haven't been exposed in that time doesn't mean the staff knows. Why should they take your word for it? They don't know you from Adam, and even if they do, a lot of people lie about their risk factors -- besides which, plenty of people in monogamous relationships contract the virus unknowingly from unfaithful partners, so even if you're absolutely sure you haven't been exposed, there's always a chance that you're wrong.

Point being, the staff has every right to put their own health first. Suck it up and consent to the test or don't get treatment.

When I was pregnant with my first child they asked me & I signed a consent form. I believe it's not madatory or else I wouldn't have had to consent to it.

The blood they take at your inital prenatal visit is tested for EVERY single std you can think of...that is for the safety of the baby as well as yourself and he staff...undetected diseases are lethal to an unborn fetus. It is not an unneccessary test and you probably were tested for your son at the military hospital they just didn't tell you because everything came back normal.

Get the test who is it hurting? You know you're clean, they'll know you're clean and you can get on with your prenatal care and a healthy pregnancy. Yes it is expensive if you are uninsured but really how much is your unborn babies health worth?

HIV testing is the standard of care in obstetrics. Usually done with early labs around 16-20 weeks and sometimes repeated at close to term or delivery. Most pediatricians will treat a baby until a negative result is available. Antiretrovirals are very strong drugs, why would your subject your child to receiving these meds instead of just having the lab drawn, whatever the monetary cost.
Had a patient test negative at the early test, and the later test revealed she was now positive.