Students Eligible For New HIV Policy

All Harvard students and employees will likely be eligible for a $100,000 lump-sum payment if they "become HIV positive" as a result of a University-related activity, officials said this week.

The highly-publicized policy, which has yet to become official, appeared initially to only cover only activity at Harvard's 13 teaching hospitals.

But Dean of the Faculty Jeremy R. Knowles recently approved the policy for Faculty of Arts and Sciences (FAS) students and employees, according to Clyde Evans, associate director of clinical affairs at the Medical School.

The time table for instituting the policy remains unclear, but officials speculated that all of the graduate schools will eventually adopt it.

A draft of the Work-Related HIV Benefit Plan, dated August 10 and obtained by The Crimson, said those covered by the policy would receive a taxable, lump sum payment of $100,000 if they test positive for HIV as a result of activity on the job.

The payment, to be administered by the Risk Management Foundation, would be in addition to any amounts payable under employee benefits, workers' compensation or insurance plans. Students would be covered if they contract the virus while performing any activities falling "within the duties as such student," the draft said.

Evans, echoing comments made by the Medical School's Associate Dean for Public Affairs Suzanne Rauffenbatt, said he believed all Universitystudents and employees will eventually be coveredby the policy. As of yesterday, only MedicalSchool, the School of Public Health and FAS hadapproved the policy.

"We expect everyone in the University will becovered," Evans said.

In addition, Director of Human Resources DianePatrick confirmed yesterday that all non-unionUniversity employees will be covered by thepolicy. Patrick said union workers would receivecoverage if their unions opted for it.

University Attorney Marianna C. Pierce saidyesterday she did not believe the policy wouldrestrict employees and students from suing Harvardif they contracted HIV here.

She confirmed, however, that any suit wouldhave to be filed no sooner than two months and nolater than one year after they present evidence ofbeing exposed to AIDS at the University.

The draft of the plan details significantrestrictions on how students and employees mayqualify for benefits. According to the draft, inorder to receive the $100,000, students andworkers must:

.report in writing and within five days anyexposure to the HIV virus.

.test negative for HIV within five days of theinitial exposure.

.after initially testing negative, testpositive within six months of the exposure. (AIDSexperts say the vast majority of people whocontract HIV test positive within six months ofexposure).

.file for benefits while a member of theUniversity or within six months of leavingHarvard.

Benefits will not be paid for "nonaccidental"exposure to HIV, the draft says.

Medical experts have reacted with cautiousoptimism to Harvard's plan, which has receivednational attention as the first of its kind in thecountry. Medical School Dean Daniel C. Tosteson'44 endorsed the policy last week, but otherdoctors have been less enthusiastic.

Dr. Robert H. Gifford, an internist who servesas dean of students at Yale Medical School, saidthat while the $100,000 benefit policy is a goodstep, it is more important that employees haveadequate medical insurance if they contract AIDSon the job.

"Health insurance is critical to someone withHIV," said Gifford. "If a person contracts AIDS,the medical bills will easily exceed $100,000."

In the end, Harvard's policy may be receivingattention disproportionate to its importance sincethe risk of contracting HIV in work or study isvery low.

According to the U.S. Centers for DiseaseControl, the risk to health workers of contractingthe virus is one in 10,000.

Daria Lidsky contributed to the reporting ofthis story.

"We expect everyone in the University will becovered," Evans said.

In addition, Director of Human Resources DianePatrick confirmed yesterday that all non-unionUniversity employees will be covered by thepolicy. Patrick said union workers would receivecoverage if their unions opted for it.

University Attorney Marianna C. Pierce saidyesterday she did not believe the policy wouldrestrict employees and students from suing Harvardif they contracted HIV here.

She confirmed, however, that any suit wouldhave to be filed no sooner than two months and nolater than one year after they present evidence ofbeing exposed to AIDS at the University.

The draft of the plan details significantrestrictions on how students and employees mayqualify for benefits. According to the draft, inorder to receive the $100,000, students andworkers must:

.report in writing and within five days anyexposure to the HIV virus.

.test negative for HIV within five days of theinitial exposure.

.after initially testing negative, testpositive within six months of the exposure. (AIDSexperts say the vast majority of people whocontract HIV test positive within six months ofexposure).

.file for benefits while a member of theUniversity or within six months of leavingHarvard.

Benefits will not be paid for "nonaccidental"exposure to HIV, the draft says.

Medical experts have reacted with cautiousoptimism to Harvard's plan, which has receivednational attention as the first of its kind in thecountry. Medical School Dean Daniel C. Tosteson'44 endorsed the policy last week, but otherdoctors have been less enthusiastic.

Dr. Robert H. Gifford, an internist who servesas dean of students at Yale Medical School, saidthat while the $100,000 benefit policy is a goodstep, it is more important that employees haveadequate medical insurance if they contract AIDSon the job.

"Health insurance is critical to someone withHIV," said Gifford. "If a person contracts AIDS,the medical bills will easily exceed $100,000."

In the end, Harvard's policy may be receivingattention disproportionate to its importance sincethe risk of contracting HIV in work or study isvery low.

According to the U.S. Centers for DiseaseControl, the risk to health workers of contractingthe virus is one in 10,000.

Daria Lidsky contributed to the reporting ofthis story.