Lawsuit: Adult Film Stars' Medical Records Exposed

The actresses say the release forms actors are required to sign are too broad

Two former adult film actresses are suing a Los Angeles clinic, alleging their private medical information is being wrongly exposed to the public.

In a lawsuit filed Monday, Diana Lee Grandmason and Bess Garren said the release forms actors are required to sign at the Adult Industry Medical Healthcare Foundation's clinic are too broad, resulting in abuses.

The clinic caters to adult film actors who must keep in line with a U.S. law requiring proof adult actors have tested negative for HIV and other sexually transmitted diseases within 30 days of going to work on a film.

The clinic operates a website housing personal medical information for its patients, and sells $30 monthly memberships to a broad swath of people in the adult film industry, from major studios to one-man operations, said Grandmason.

The lawsuit alleges that the release forms signed by adult film actors do not properly define the group of people who are allowed access to the information. The suit also claims the release forms don't limit the number of test disclosures.

Grandmason, 50, said she believes her information is still accessible on the clinic's website because her personal medical information was leaked to a popular industry blog in February, but her last STD tests were conducted in February 2009.

"I have cyberstalkers because I have been outspoken about problems in the industry," said Grandmason. They "have posted my personal information online, including my HIV status."

Grandmason quit the business in 2009 after she grew concerned about health and business violations. She said she has received death threats for speaking out against the industry.

"I do feel good about coming forward so other young women don't have to do this and don't have to go through feeling like they have targets on their backs," she said.

Calls to the clinic Friday and Monday weren't returned, according to The Associated Press.

AIDS Healthcare Foundation President Michael Weinstein said clinic operators must respect their patients' privacy rights, and don't exist "solely for the purpose of enriching the industry."

The advocacy group said earlier this month that the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services has launched an investigation into their complaint alleging violations of federal patient confidentiality laws.
       

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Copyright AP - Associated Press
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