[Congressional Bills 105th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 539 Introduced in House (IH)]







105th CONGRESS
  2d Session
H. RES. 539

 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a national 
      HIV surveillance system should be expeditiously implemented.


_______________________________________________________________________


                    IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES

                           September 15, 1998

  Ms. Waters (for herself, Mr. Stokes, and Ms. Pelosi) submitted the 
 following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Commerce

_______________________________________________________________________

                               RESOLUTION


 
 Expressing the sense of the House of Representatives that a national 
      HIV surveillance system should be expeditiously implemented.

Whereas AIDS remains a major killer of young Americans, and is the leading cause 
        of death for African Americans between the ages of 25 and 44;
Whereas the human immunodeficiency virus (commonly known as HIV) causes acquired 
        immune deficiency syndrome (commonly known as AIDS), and there is 
        usually a period of at least several years between the time of infection 
        with HIV and the time at which AIDS develops;
Whereas while remarkable medical advances in the treatment of AIDS have been 
        achieved, there is an alarming rise in new HIV infections among 
        adolescents, women, and minority communities;
Whereas many States that employ AIDS surveillance systems do not employ HIV 
        surveillance systems;
Whereas because recent advances in HIV treatment have led to significant overall 
        reductions in AIDS deaths and have slowed the progression of HIV 
        infection, HIV surveillance systems should be employed, as AIDS 
        surveillance systems alone do not offer a comprehensive understanding of 
        the HIV epidemic;
Whereas because of the limitations of AIDS surveillance systems, HIV 
        surveillance is a necessary component of any State disease surveillance 
        system to ensure that Federal and State funds follow the trends in HIV 
        infection and to assist State and local health departments in the 
        development of effective prevention, care, and treatment programs;
Whereas 32 States have employed HIV surveillance systems for adolescents and 
        adults; and
Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention play a vital national 
        role in monitoring the course of the HIV epidemic, in partnership with 
        State and local health departments: Now, therefore, be it
    Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Representatives 
that--
            (1) the States should move with all deliberate speed to 
        implement HIV surveillance systems in order to provide accurate 
        and reliable data concerning the incidence and prevalence of 
        cases of HIV infection;
            (2) the Federal Government and the States should ensure 
        that funds follow the epidemiological trends of HIV infection;
            (3) the House of Representatives recognizes that there are 
        different approaches to carrying out HIV surveillance systems 
        and that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should 
        respect the right of each State to determine the best approach 
        to implementing an HIV surveillance system in that State;
            (4) a State that elects to implement an HIV surveillance 
        system should assess the security and confidentiality of HIV 
        surveillance data, and should carefully review its laws 
        providing for civil and criminal penalties for breaches of 
        confidentiality and make appropriate changes to ensure patient 
        confidentiality;
            (5) HIV surveillance systems should not be developed that 
        deter people from using anonymous HIV counseling and testing 
        services and other HIV prevention programs;
            (6) each State should work with HIV community planning 
        groups reflective of the demographics of HIV infection and with 
        other local medical and public health institutions to develop 
        their own HIV surveillance programs; and
            (7) the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention should 
        provide comprehensive guidance to States and provide increased 
        funds and technical assistance to ensure the quality and 
        efficiency of HIV surveillance systems selected by the States 
        and facilitate the transition from monitoring only AIDS cases 
        to monitoring both HIV cases and AIDS cases.
                                 <all>