There is a national program implemented through CDC [[Center for Disease Control) to make HIV testing routine. We have a barrier to that in Michigan, as we passed a state law that prohibits testing anyone without express written consent. Therefore, when we go to the doctor for our physical, we get all routine blood tests but not for HIV.

Here it is up to the health care team to offer the test to their patients, and to obtain their written consent. This is not done routinely. A doctor may or may not assess risk factors in the patient's lifestyle. An older married woman may seem low risk. Yet, one of the fastest growing HIV populations is elders. Also, one may not be certain of one's partner's actions. Many a spouse has been infected because their beloved cheated without protection. Young people are another group that has high risk and low understanding of the need for protection. Many do not equate oral sex with risk, yet there is significant risk with oral sex. So, if everyone were tested routinely, it is reasoned, everyone would know their status and could take responsible action to protect others.