HIV

(Atlanta, Georgia, July 29, 2004) - In court papers responding to a federal lawsuit Lambda Legal filed in May, Nodak Enterprises admitted firing Joey Saavedra, a veteran auto glass installer, because he has HIV.

“Nodak Enterprises has just admitted to firing our client because he has HIV, and we’re committed to holding them accountable,” said Greg Nevins, Senior Attorney in Lambda Legal’s Southern Regional Office in Atlanta. “There’s nowhere for them to go; our client was fired out of fear and bigotry-not sound science-and that is against the law.”

(Milwaukee, Tuesday, October 5, 2004) - Saying that a Wisconsin doctor illegally discriminated against his patient by refusing to perform surgery when he learned the man has HIV, Lambda Legal filed a lawsuit in state court today arguing the doctor violated multiple federal and state laws. Lambda Legal also argues that the doctor failed to offer proper HIV counseling services to the patient when he told him he tested HIV-positive, which is mandated by state law.

(CHICAGO, April 12, 2000) -- After fighting all the way to the United States Supreme Court, Mutual of Omaha Insurance has announced plans to end its unjustified discrimination against policyholders with HIV by lifting special restrictions on medical coverage for HIV or AIDS-related care.

(LOS ANGELES, April 3, 2000) —A Massachusetts-based insurer that callously refused to pay disability benefits to a long-time policyholder with HIV should stand trial for violating state law that prohibits such unfair insurance practices, said Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund Monday.

(NEW YORK, January 18, 2000) — Against the advice of national public health groups, the United States Supreme Court has declined to hear a case brought by HIV-positive inmates challenging their complete segregation by Alabama prison officials, Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund said Tuesday.

(Baltimore, Maryland, February 11, 2005) – Saying that one of the nation’s largest health insurance companies may cost a Maryland man his life by refusing to cover a liver transplant because he has HIV, Lambda Legal urged the administrator of a Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey health plan to reverse its denial in light of a range of scientific data and the man’s personal health history and experience.

(CHICAGO, January 10, 2000) — The United States Supreme Court Monday declined to review a case that seeks to clarify that the Americans with Disabilities Act prohibits insurance companies from imposing disease-specific caps that limit health coverage for policyholders with HIV or other disabilities.

Lambda Legal Defense and Education Fund and the AIDS Legal Council of Chicago said the practice, which has no basis in actuarial principles, violates the ADA and jeopardizes healthcare for many people with HIV and other illnesses.

(Atlanta, February 16, 2005) — Lambda Legal today launched a nationwide drive to mobilize its members and the public to urge Nodak Enterprises not to discriminate against employees with HIV. Nodak, a major auto-glass retailer in several southern states, fired highly skilled glass installer Joey Saavedra because he has HIV.