HUTCHINSON, Kan. (AP) Some county health officials are concerned that the state’s decision to stop providing free HIV testing in most Kansas counties will cause a drop in services for people with the virus.
The Kansas Department of Health and Environment notified most county counseling and testing providers last November that it would no longer provide free HIV testing, starting in January.
The Kansas Health Institute says the state will continue to provide the service in 10 counties, which are generally the most populous and have more cases of HIV.
The Hutchinson News reports state officials cut the service in counties will low instances of HIV in order to use the funds more efficiently. And the new federal health care law is expected to make more people eligible for the testing.
