Seattle HIV Testing Lab Contract Changed by State
The Seattle LGBTQ+ Center now sends samples to a Texas facility to meet updated Washington state requirements.
Updated on Sept. 23, 2026 in Sexual Health
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The Washington Department of Health has mandated that the Seattle LGBTQ+ Center transition its HIV and STI blood sample testing from local laboratories to the Center for Disease Detection in San Antonio, Texas. This change affects how patient data is handled when submitting tests for conditions including HIV, syphilis, and hepatitis C.
Why it matters
State officials report that the shift to the new laboratory, which is owned by LabCorp, is designed to reduce testing costs and accelerate the delivery of results for patients in Seattle. The transition replaces previous testing services formerly managed by Public Health King County Labs.
The Washington Department of Health established a new contract requiring the Seattle LGBTQ+ Center to route clinical blood samples to an out-of-state facility. While health officials indicate this move aims to improve speed and efficiency, the impact on local laboratory capacity remains under observation.
The players
Washington Department of Health
The state agency responsible for managing public health protocols, diagnostic testing standards, and laboratory contracting.
Seattle LGBTQ+ Center
A community-based organization providing health services, including HIV and STI testing, to residents of Seattle.
Center for Disease Detection
A Texas-based, LabCorp-owned diagnostic facility that now serves as the primary laboratory for state-contracted testing.
Ken Paxton
The Texas Attorney General whose legal actions regarding medical records have drawn concern from advocacy organizations.
The details
The Seattle LGBTQ+ Center now processes blood samples for HIV, gonorrhea, chlamydia, syphilis, and hepatitis C through the Center for Disease Detection. This process involves the transmission of patient health records and personally identifiable information, including sex assigned at birth, to the facility in San Antonio. The change replaces the previous protocol that relied on local processing through Public Health King County Labs.
Timeline
2024: Texas Attorney General Ken Paxton attempted to demand records from Seattle Children's Hospital.
Earlier this year: The Seattle LGBTQ Commission requested a state of emergency.
Earlier this year: The Texas Supreme Court ruled that advocacy groups may have to disclose member information.
Health Landscape
This transition occurs within an increasingly complex environment regarding the interstate sharing of sensitive medical information. It follows a period of heightened regional tension, including a legal landscape shaped by the Texas Supreme Court ruling on PFLAG member information disclosure.
Patients utilizing the Seattle LGBTQ+ Center for HIV and STI screening should be aware that their samples and identification data are now being processed by an out-of-state laboratory. If you have concerns about the privacy of your medical records or the handling of your health data, these questions are worth discussing with your doctor or the center’s staff.
The takeaway
The shift in testing sites highlights the importance of understanding where your medical data is processed. Patients should feel empowered to ask their healthcare providers about the privacy and security policies of any laboratory involved in their diagnostic care.
Further reading
For more information on how diagnostic screenings are managed in the area, visit our Sexual Health section.
Source note: This article includes information reported by LGBTQ Nation.
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