ABSTRACT
This chapter discusses two areas of Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)/Acquired Immune Deficiency Syndrome (AIDS) and law: insurance and corrections. For individuals or family members with HIV/AIDS, access to medical treatment and prescription medicine is critical. As those who are infected live longer and health care costs mount, both public and private sector health insurance are faced with burgeoning expenses. While many Americans who are employed have health insurance through their employers, these policies may not cover prescription drugs. In general, health insurance may be public or private, and private health insurance may consist of individual or group policies. Each state regulates insurance companies doing business in its state, and state insurance laws differ substantially from state to state. Important concerns for HIV-positive individuals are whether they can obtain heath insurance and whether that insurance can be modified or terminated by the insurer.
