Illinois Likely to Require Names Reporting

Illinois is one of only 14 US jurisdictions that report new HIV cases by code rather than by name. Because CDC counts only HIV cases reported by name, Illinois' share of Ryan White CARE funds will soon be set at artificially low levels unless the state switches to name-based reporting, advocates say. The Illinois Department of Public Health's Office of Health Protection is preparing a recommendation on name-based reporting for department Director Dr. Eric Whitaker.

Due to what he deems the "shifting landscape" at this time, David Munar of the AIDS Foundation of Chicago said that organization is re-evaluating its position on name-based reporting. "We're going to be working with public officials to try to figure out how to have strong safeguards for confidentiality [in Illinois]," Munar said. Confidentiality concerns, he said, were amplified by two recent breaches in Florida.

Other jurisdictions are also dealing with the shift to name-based reporting. Philadelphia is switching to name-based reporting, and California is also expected to do so.

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