Porn Industry Testing Clinic in the Valley Reopens After Being Shut Down by County, State

By Dennis Romero Tue., Feb. 8 2011 at 6:09 AM

Categories: Porn

AIDS Healthcare Foundation wants condoms, not clinics.

The porn industry clinic that came under fire for providing the adult video business with an alternative to condom use -- a system of regular testing for performers -- has reopened under private ownership.

The Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation is now AIM Medical Associates P.C. and was taken private so that it will no longer be regulated by L.A. County health authorities, according to a statement.

The clinic gave a virtual finger to the county, which helped close it down in December for not having a state license:

"Relieved from pointless harassment that came with oversight from the County Health Department, the new AIM more appropriately is responsible to the California Medical Association. AIM plans to provide more services, both on the internet and in house, and continue its relationships with current clients while welcoming new ones," the clinic states.

The operation was shut down after pressure from AIDS Healthcare Foundation, which targeted the clinic's license, or lack thereof. The group also questioned whether it was legal for AIM to keep performers' HIV tests on file so that producers could access them.

The foundation has been on a tear against the porn industry in an attempt to make state and local authorities require condom use on-set, which the state requires but can't really enforce for lack of manpower.

Just Monday AHF hailed the L.A. City Council for voting to explore a law that would deny film permits to adult shoots that don't enforce condom use.

Even with new ownership, Sharon Mitchell, an ex-adult performer turned advocate for porn-star health, will remain as AIM's leader and take the title of CEO.

She states:

"We're up and running and here to stay! Yes, we're back and still providing the same important services for early detection HIV, STDs (testing and treatment), doctor visits, and general health check- ups. From Pap smears, to Pelvic exam, we continue to provide the same stellar service in a one-stop visit."

Tags:

AHF, AIM Healthcare, clinic, condoms, Los Angeles, porn

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Michaelwhiteacre

I'm glad you referenced the "patient privacy" claims made by AHF. These claims fully illustrate AHF's shameless, outrageous hypocrisy.

Although the law forbids unauthorized disclosures about a person's HIV status, in 2009, AHF was illegally provided the names, and addresses of some 5,000 HIV-positive Medi-Cal recipients from The California Department of Health Care Services.

Paul Morris, who owns the gay porn production studio, Treasure Island Media (also targeted by AHF's Michael Weinstein), had this critique of AHF:

"[Weinstein] believes that it’s perfectly acceptable for the government to covertly funnel extremely private information about the HIV status of patients of public clinics in order to bolster the client-list of AHF. Control trumps privacy for the good gay."

Then, in February 2010, AHF accused Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation (AIM) of privacy violations.

For the record, every performer who goes to AIM for testing signs a waiver, AGREEING to permit access to their test results to adult industry producers.

la_weakly

Truck drivers have the most stringent health and safety regulations in the world. All rights and privileges pertaining to their duties and job are waved for the most part. Other prospect trucking companies can easily pull private records from the DOT.

Health and safety is a top priority for the trucking industry just like the adult film industry. There needs be a mutually understood level of communication be producers, directors, and healthcare professionals who provide services. I don't think the adult film industry should be held any less to such a standard. Granted the film industry does benefit from a far less government intrusion (it can be far worse, more intrusive and less reliable. Mine Safety and Health Administration anyone?) but at the intersection of healths, rights and safety there needs to be compromise.