As California Goes, So Goes the Nation?

In the fall California governor Arnold Schwarzenegger signed the nation's first law requiring every health insurer operating in the state to pay for routine HIV antibody tests in the fall. Schwarzenegger said identifying HIVers as early as possible not only helps prevent the spread of the virus but safeguards the lives of those who are infected by getting them into early care and treatment. The measure also adheres to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's most recent guidelines calling for routine testing in all health care settings for every person between 13 and 65. 'This legislation will set the standard throughout the nation' for preventive care, according to state assemblyman Paul Krekorian, for whom the bill was named.