Congresswoman Waters Observes National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day; Urges Doctors and Nurses to Get Tested For HIV
Today on Capitol Hill, Congresswoman Maxine Waters (CA-35) announced the introduction in the House of Representatives of a resolution to honor the first annual National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day. At least 26 Members of Congress will be cosponsoring the resolution.
"I am proud to introduce this resolution in honor of the first annual National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day," said Congresswoman Waters.
The Congresswoman made her announcement during an event organized by the National Minority AIDS Education and Training Center (NMAETC) to urge physicians, physician assistants, nurses, dentists and other clinicians to get personally involved in the fight against HIV/AIDS by taking an HIV test, personally demonstrating the importance as well as the ease of HIV testing.
"Doctors, nurses, and other clinicians play a critical role in encouraging patients to get tested for HIV. I urge all clinicians to become actively involved in HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, treatment, and referral services in their communities, and I urge all clinicians to take an HIV test today and set a good example for their patients to follow," said the Congresswoman.
Congresswoman Waters has sponsored three initiatives in the 110th Congress to promote HIV/AIDS awareness, testing and treatment.
1. She introduced H.R. 822, the Routine HIV/AIDS Screening Coverage Act. This bill would require health insurance plans to cover routine HIV tests under the same terms and conditions as other routine health screenings and therefore encourage and enable more Americans to be tested for HIV/AIDS. This bill has over 40 cosponsors.
2. She is continuing her efforts to expand the Minority AIDS Initiative, which she established back in 1998 to expand HIV testing, treatment and prevention among racial and ethnic minorities. HIV/AIDS is more prevalent in minority communities. On March 19, 2008, she sent a letter to House appropriators requesting $610 million for the Minority AIDS Initiative in fiscal year 2009, and 79 Members of Congress signed her letter.
3. She introduced H.R. 1943, the Stop AIDS in Prison Act, which was passed by the House of Representatives on September 25, 2007, and now awaits consideration in the Senate. This bill requires the Federal Bureau of Prisons to test all prison inmates for HIV, unless the inmate opts out of taking the test. The bill also requires HIV/AIDS prevention education for all inmates and comprehensive treatment for those who test positive.
###