STD Drug Bill Falls Short

Nebraska legislators rejected a bill Wednesday that would have allowed doctors, physician assistants, and nurse practitioners to prescribe treatment for the partners of STD patients without an examination.

Expedited partner therapy is legal in 30 states and is endorsed by CDC, but the measure to permit it in Nebraska fell four votes short of advancing to the second round of debate. “We’re dealing with an epidemic,” said Sen. Amanda McGill (Lincoln). “I encourage you to look at the reality, even if you may not approve of certain sexual behaviors.”

Others, however, raised concerns about providing antibiotics to individuals who had not been evaluated by a health professional. “I just don’t think we should be passing medicine on,” said Sen. John Harms (Scottsbluff).

The Friends of AIDS Foundation is dedicated to enhancing the quality of life for HIV positive individuals and empowering people to make healthy choices to prevent the spread of the HIV virus. To learn more about The Friends of AIDS Foundation, please visit: http://www.friendsofaids.org.

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