Mandatory HIV Testing and Treating of Child-Bearing Women: An Unnatural, Illegal, and Unsound Approach

Over the last several years, some elected officials, and most recently, the American Medical Association, have endorsed mandatory HIV testing of pregnant women. Some go further and endorse mandatory treatment for HIV-positive pregnant women once they are identified. The rationale for both positions is the availability of a treatment regimen which can reduce the likelihood of perinatal HIV transmission.