See other bills
under the
same topic
PRINTER'S NO. 2072
THE GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF PENNSYLVANIA
HOUSE RESOLUTION
No.
410
Session of
2017
INTRODUCED BY KIM, HENNESSEY, BAKER, MILLARD, BIZZARRO,
DONATUCCI, SIMS, DEAN, READSHAW, THOMAS, VITALI, HEFFLEY,
KINSEY, FREEMAN, VAZQUEZ, CALTAGIRONE, DiGIROLAMO, V. BROWN,
DRISCOLL, DAVIS, MEHAFFIE, SCHLOSSBERG, D. COSTA, SOLOMON,
BULLOCK, WARREN, NEILSON, WATSON, HILL-EVANS, ROZZI,
McCLINTON AND ROEBUCK, JUNE 20, 2017
INTRODUCED AS NONCONTROVERSIAL RESOLUTION UNDER RULE 35,
JUNE 20, 2017
A RESOLUTION
Recognizing June 27, 2017, as "National HIV Testing Day" in
Pennsylvania.
WHEREAS, The term HIV stands for human immunodeficiency
virus, a devastating epidemic that continues to spread in
communities throughout the United States; and
WHEREAS, According to the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention, more than 1,200,000 people in the United States are
living with HIV; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, approximately 40,000 people were diagnosed
with HIV, which represents an approximate 19% decline in the
annual number of new diagnoses from 2005 to 2014; and
WHEREAS, Although much progress has been made in the way of
HIV prevention, HIV diagnoses have increased among several
groups; and
WHEREAS, National statistics highlight that gay and bisexual
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
men account for more than 82% of HIV diagnoses and that African-
American gay and bisexual men account for the largest number of
HIV diagnoses; and
WHEREAS, In 2015, youths between 13 and 24 years of age
accounted for 1 in 5 new HIV diagnoses; and
WHEREAS, In the midst of the heroin/opioid abuse epidemic
plaguing our Commonwealth and the United States, it is
critically important that the medical community and health care
advocates continue to emphasize that the risk of contracting or
transmitting HIV increases exponentially with injection drug
use; and
WHEREAS, According to the Department of Health, there are
approximately 35,000 people living with HIV in this
Commonwealth; and
WHEREAS, It is estimated that 1 in 8 people living with HIV
are unaware of their infection; and
WHEREAS, The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention's
guidelines for HIV screening in health care settings recommend
at least one HIV screening for all individuals between 15 and 65
years of age, regardless of risk factors; and
WHEREAS, Thanks to extensive research and extraordinary
advances in medicine over the last two decades, individuals with
HIV are now living longer and have an overall better quality of
life; and
WHEREAS, With an early diagnosis and a proper treatment
regimen, individuals living with HIV can lead full and
productive lives while also taking a proactive role in reducing
the spread of the virus; and
WHEREAS, Individuals are more likely to act responsibly and
protect themselves and other individuals in the community when
20170HR0410PN2072 - 2 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14
15
16
17
18
19
20
21
22
23
24
25
26
27
28
29
30
they are aware of their HIV status; and
WHEREAS, The purpose of this resolution is to foster a
greater degree of awareness about the subjects of HIV, HIV
prevention, the importance of learning one's status by getting
tested and to remove the stigma and widespread misconceptions
associated with the virus; therefore be it
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives recognize June
27, 2017, as "National HIV Testing Day" in Pennsylvania; and be
it further
RESOLVED, That the House of Representatives encourage all
Pennsylvanians between 15 and 65 years of age to speak with
their primary care provider or locate a free and confidential
HIV testing site to get tested for HIV and to educate themselves
about the prevention and treatment of HIV.
20170HR0410PN2072 - 3 -
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
14