[Congressional Record Volume 157, Number 60 (Thursday, May 5, 2011)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E826]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCING THE INCREASING ACCESS TO VOLUNTARY SCREENING FOR HIV/AIDS 
                          AND STIS ACT OF 2011

                                 ______
                                 

                         HON. ALCEE L. HASTINGS

                               of florida

                    in the house of representatives

                         Thursday, May 5, 2011

  Mr. HASTINGS of Florida. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to introduce the 
Increasing Access to Voluntary Screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs Act of 
2011, which will help reduce the spread and morbidities associated with 
HIV/AIDS and other sexually transmitted infections (STIs).
  Each year in the United States, almost 19 million new STIs occur and 
an estimated 56,300 Americans are newly infected with HIV. HIV/AIDS and 
STIs are syndemics. HIV infection can increase a person's risk for 
acquiring certain STIs, as well as affect their frequency, severity, 
and healing time, while STIs increase the risk of HIV transmission, 
impaired fertility, reproductive tract cancer, and adverse pregnancy 
outcomes.
  Due to various factors, including stigma, a lack of health care 
coverage, and an inaccurate perception of risk among communities and 
providers, HIV and other long-term, initially asymptomatic STIs often 
remain undiagnosed or are diagnosed at later stages. This leads to 
higher rates of mortality, morbidity, disability, and transmission. 
Furthermore, the burden of HIV/AIDS and STIs falls disproportionately 
on different populations, with 15-24 year olds, men who have sex with 
men (MSM), and racial and ethnic minorities facing the greatest risk 
for STIs.
  The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the United 
States Preventive Services Task Force recommend that voluntary 
screening for HIV/AIDS and other STIs be integrated into routine 
clinical care. All individuals engaging in sexual contact must have 
access to voluntary screening that is confidential, rapid, accurate, 
and medically appropriate. In addition, supporting scientifically 
based, culturally competent, and age-appropriate interventions is key 
to reducing the incidence of HIV/AIDS and other STIs.
  The Increasing Access to Voluntary Screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs 
Act of 2011 takes an aggressive and multifaceted approach to combating 
HIV/AIDS and other STIs, including Chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, 
hepatitis B, hepatitis C, and human papillomavirus (HPV), by increasing 
access to voluntary screening and other preventive methods while 
preserving patient rights and confidentiality.
  Among other things, this bill requires Medicaid to cover voluntary 
screening for HIV/AIDS and other STIs as a mandatory service for all 
individuals 13 and older, including when such services are provided at 
a Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC). This legislation also 
requires the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) to 
provide Medicare reimbursement for voluntary HIV/AIDS and STI screening 
for all beneficiaries 13 and older.
  In addition, this Act requires group health plans, insurance issuers 
providing group or individual health insurance coverage, and federal 
employee health benefits programs to cover routine screening for HIV/
AIDS and other STIs; provides states with the support they need to 
cover low-income individuals infected with HIV until Medicaid is 
expanded in 2014 under the Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act; 
and supports access to early medical and mental treatment by linking 
patients to appropriate medical and mental health services.
  Lastly, this bill will help improve the accessibility and 
effectiveness of screening and other preventive services for groups 
that have been historically underrepresented in public health 
interventions for HIV/AIDS and other STIs, such as people living with 
disabilities, the transgender community, women living with severe 
physical disabilities, and women who have sex with women (WSW).
  Mr. Speaker, HIV/AIDS and STIs remain a significant challenge to 
individual and public health. Through early detection and treatment, as 
well as comprehensive education for health care providers and 
communities, we can begin to reverse the tide of infections. I urge my 
colleagues to support this important bill, which combines the 
effectiveness of voluntary, routine screening with smart policy to 
improve the health of our communities and nation as a whole.

                          ____________________