Proposal For Safety Rule
 

I am in the process of drafting what I believe would be a very important safety rule for the IKF and would like some input. I have received positive reaction so far, but want to get more opinions.

My proposed rule would read as follows:

"All fighters (amateur and pro), at the time of their physical, shall present the ringside physician with the results of an HIV/AIDS test conducted within the last 365 days, indicating that the fighter is free of the HIV virus. Any fighter unable or unwilling to produce such results shall be disqualified by the doctor and not allowed to fight. For a test result to be valid, it must be possible to identify the fighter concerned (a letter from the relevant health department in this regard, along with the result, would satisfy this requirement when the laboratory does not identify the person by name). Any test approved by the Food and Drug Administration may be used.

CAUTION: Some state athletic commissions have stricter requirements concerning HIV testing. It is the fighter's responsibility to comply with all such requirements if/when such requirements apply."

Many health departments conduct HIV tests for free, so this would not pose an undue burden on promoters or fighters.

Simply put, would you be in favor of such a rule?

Please vote in the poll above.

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

I think that is a great idea,

HOWEVER, it is, in some studies 100 TIMES easier to contract Hepatitis and MORE people have Hepatitis.

So my question is why not both and why HIV instead of Hepatitis?

Just food for thought. I am not against it, but I would be more worried if my opponent has Hepatitis than HIV.
Maybe have a test for both.

Thanks
Jason

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

Fight Geek,

You have a good point. The reason I am restricting the scope of the proposed rule at this time is because I don't know if health dept's do hepatitis testing for free the way they do for HIV.
I dont want to create an undue financial burden on fighters and/or promoters. If I find out that alot of departments offer such testing, I will take that under consideration.

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

Austin,
Good point on the financial part for fighters. If one can get both done for free, I would be for both. Either way I think it is a good idea.

Jason

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

I think this is a great idea. It may, at first, seem like a pain in the a#$ , but once it becomes routine, a lot of people will probably be glad we have this safety rule.

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

WONDERFUL Proposal. It could be sent in with your registration. It could be scanned at the IKF headquarters. That would keep it on file, with your stats and personal information, without taking up space. I think it shows an awareness for the entire sport.

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

Austin,

I have a question. Why 365 days? Why not in the previous 6 months? if the tests are free, wouldn't it be safer to have it more recent then a full year prior? I dont know what the stats are, how long does it take to show up if a person contracts the HIV virus? What if a fighter gets it 3-4 months before, yet their last results were from a year ago? Would it even be better to have it done quarterly?

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

Moonrider--

I considered that, but it would be too difficult to keep track of all those results. In addition, strict laws concerning the confidentiality of HIV/AIDS test results could pose potential liability for IKF if the information was illegally released, even by accident. The way I have the draft rule written there are no logistic or legal issues.

Pammypanda--

I also considered 6 months. By personal choice, I get tested every 6 months. However, I thought it would be a bit cumbersome. Perhaps the final rule will be set at 6 months. Remember, where state rules apply and are stricter, the fighter must comply with those requirements.

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

just pushing this thread to the top...thats all.

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

Another push to the top for this thread. I want to keep it close to the top till the poll closes (The poll will close 90 days after the first post on this thread)

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

Austin,
Will the health dept. test you (at no cost) when ever you ask?

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

This is a good thread... I agree with the proposed rule and I also think it should be at least every 6 months. Why not ask the Health Dept. what they do test for and go for broke. If it is free then let's test for as much as possible. If it is not Free, I still think it is a SAFE thing for the IKF to do. If the fighter wishes to fight then get tested.

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule
 

Ray--

Yes. I just called them and they set an appointment for me to come in. I told them I would like to be tested every 180 days (6 months) and they said thats OK. Where I got tested they do anonymous testing (where your name is not disclosed) and confidential testing where they only give you the result but will certify (on request) that it was in fact you who came and got tested. For the purpose of my proposed rule, the anonymous testing format would NOT be acceptable, the confidential format WOULD be acceptable.

Ken--

Good point. I'll do that. Ask some dept's in your state (and surrounding states) for me if you can. That would be a big help. Thanks.

Re: Proposal For Safety Rule--FINAL WORDING
 

I have finally settled on the proposed wording for my proposed safety rule concering HIV and Hepatitis testing. I have come to my decision after receiving input from many in the IKF (Thanks!), several state athletic commissions, and several state health departments. The changes from my original proposal (along with the reason for each) are:

-- I have included Hepatitis B and C in the requirement, despite the cost (REASON: The financial burden is outweighed by the protection of the fighter's health, also it IS easier to get hepatitis in the ring than HIV/AIDS)

--I have shortened the test validity period to 180 days, instead of 365 (REASON: This appears to be standard among most state commissions)

--I have proposed a "Delay of Effect" of this rule until January 1, 2007 (REASON: It is fundamentally unfair to impose a financial burden of this nature with immediate effect)

I intend to formally raise this proposal at the World Classic.


PROPOSED EFFECTIVE DATE: January 1, 2007

"All fighters (amateur and pro), at the time of their physical, shall present the ringside physician with the results of blood tests, or other equivalent tests approved by the US Food And Drug Administration, indicating that the fighter is free of the HIV virus, Hepatitis B, and Hepatitis C. The results are valid for 180 days from the date of the tests. Any fighter unable or unwilling to produce such results shall be disqualified by the doctor and not allowed to fight. For a test result to be valid, it must be possible to identify the fighter concerned (a letter from the relevant health department/doctor/lab etc. in this regard, along with the result, would satisfy this requirement when the laboratory does not identify the person by name), and the date the test was performed. Any test approved by the Food and Drug Administration may be used unless state regulations require otherwise.

CAUTION: Some state athletic commissions have stricter requirements concerning HIV and Hepatitis testing. It is the fighter's responsibility to comply with all such requirements if/when such requirements apply"