Congresswoman Waters Commends the Black AIDS Institute for Mobilizing to Test Black Americans for HIV

Today on Capitol Hill, U.S. Rep. Maxine Waters (CA-35) congratulated the Black AIDS Institute for organizing a campaign to promote HIV testing among Black Americans. The Congresswoman made the following statement:

    I commend the Black AIDS Institute for mobilizing to test one million Black Americans for HIV over the next 18 months.  HIV testing allows people who are living with HIV to find out about their infection, begin life-extending treatment, and avoid spreading the virus to others.

    HIV testing is especially important among Black Americans.  We account for half of the new AIDS cases in the United States, although only 12% of the population is Black.  Black women represent 66% of new AIDS cases among women, and Black teenagers represent 69% of new AIDS cases among teenagers.  AIDS is the 4th leading cause of death for black men and the 3rd leading cause of death for black women between the ages of 25 and 44. 

    However, HIV/AIDS affects everyone.  Over one million Americans are living with HIV, and one quarter of them do not know they are infected.  That is why I introduced H.R. 822, the Routine HIV/AIDS Screening Coverage Act, which requires health insurance plans to cover routine HIV tests under the same terms and conditions as other routine health screenings.  I also introduced H.R. 1943, the Stop AIDS in Prison Act, which requires the Federal Bureau of Prisons to test all prison inmates for HIV upon entering prison and then test them again prior to release.  I am proud to announce that this bill is scheduled to come up for a vote on the House floor today, and I expect it to pass.

    We all need to take this disease seriously.  I urge people in our community to mobilize, and I urge all Americans to get tested for HIV.

    Get informed.  Get tested.  Get treated.  Get involved.

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