Michigan's HIV Testing Scandal

In researching alleged 2011 Michigan Department of Community Health (MDCH) data breaches, investigative reporter Todd Heywood discovered that MDCH "secretly collected” personal information -- names, dates of birth, risk categories, and other demographic data -- on people (and their partners) who went to government grant-funded organizations for confidential testing. Heywood reports that the state is using the private information in civil and criminal cases against HIV-infected people who present a "health threat.”

To learn about MDCH collection of confidential HIV testing information, Heywood submitted multiple Freedom of Information Act (FOIA) requests, and he also asked to attend a March 6 mandatory meeting for all Michigan agencies that receive federal funding for HIV prevention and testing through MDCH grants. Although meeting organizers initially denied Heywood's request because he is not a grantee, he eventually received permission to attend. Heywood states his 300-hour investigation has encompassed 60 e-mail interviews and phone calls, FOIA requests and appeals, and document review.

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