Indian Health Board of Billings to Offer HIV Tests

BILLINGS, Mont. (AP) — The Indian Health Board of Billings has announced two new programs intended to help two vulnerable populations.

Officials tell the Billings Gazette the medical clinic starting Thursday will offer free rapid HIV tests on a walk-in basis. Then next week the clinic plans to begin a campaign to help pregnant Native American teenagers and their babies as well as preventing unwanted pregnancies.

Executive Director Marjorie Bear Don't Walk says the majority of patients at the clinic are Native American, but the clinic is open to anyone.

Bear Don't Walk says about a third of the people visiting the clinic are Crow, and a fourth are Cheyenne and enrolled members of tribes in Montana, Wyoming, North Dakota and South Dakota.

Officials say the clinic saw nearly 6,000 people last year.