Bill: Treat Heterosexual Partners With Chlamydia, Gonorrhea

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That’s what Senate Bill 655 calls for. Specifically:

Allows health professionals, subject to certain requirements, to treat the heterosexual partners of patients diagnosed as having chlamydia or gonorrhea, the sexually transmitted diseases recommended by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention for expedited partner therapy, by dispensing or prescribing medication to the heterosexual partners without examining the partners. Provides protection from criminal liability, legal liability, and disciplinary action for health professionals who provide expedited partner therapy as authorized. …

“The legislature finds that many patients who have been diagnosed with sexually transmitted diseases, including chlamydia and gonorrhea, have sexual partners who refuse to seek treatment,” according to the bill, which has a hearing Monday (March 25 — today) before two House committees.

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Photo courtesy Andres Rueda.

—Chad Blair

 

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