Expert Group Weighs Routine HIV Tests

A top group of experts may soon recommend HIV tests for all U.S. adults, Reuters news service said August 20. The U.S. Preventive Services Task Force now leaves the decision up to doctors. The task force is a group of experts on preventive care. It is appointed by the government but acts independently. The 2010 health care reform law requires that insurers cover preventive services that the task force recommends. Reuters said “health officials close to the panel” expect it to recommend routine HIV tests later this year. The task force’s job is to weigh the harm of tests and procedures against their benefits. It last updated its advice on HIV tests in 2005. At that time, it did not find enough evidence to support routine tests. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention already recommends one HIV test in a lifetime for people ages 13 to 64.