IV

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;
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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

1 Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep2 resentatives that—

3 (1) the States should move with all deliberate

4 speed to implement HIV surveillance systems in

5 order to provide accurate and reliable data concern6 ing the incidence and prevalence of cases of HIV in7 fection;
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1 (2) the Federal Government and the States

2 should ensure that funds follow the epidemiological

3 trends of HIV infection;

4 (3) the House of Representatives recognizes

5 that there are different approaches to carrying out

6 HIV surveillance systems and that the Centers for

7 Disease Control and Prevention should respect the

8 right of each State to determine the best approach

9 to implementing an HIV surveillance system in that

10 State;

11 (4) a State that elects to implement an HIV

12 surveillance system should assess the security and

13 confidentiality of HIV surveillance data, and should

14 carefully review its laws providing for civil and

15 criminal penalties for breaches of confidentiality and

16 make appropriate changes to ensure patient con17 fidentiality;

18 (5) HIV surveillance systems should not be de19 veloped that deter people from using anonymous

20 HIV counseling and testing services and other HIV

21 prevention programs;

22 (6) each State should work with HIV commu23 nity planning groups reflective of the demographics

24 of HIV infection and with other local medical and
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1 public health institutions to develop their own HIV

2 surveillance programs; and

3 (7) the Centers for Disease Control and Preven4 tion should provide comprehensive guidance to

5 States and provide increased funds and technical as6 sistance to ensure the quality and efficiency of HIV

7 surveillance systems selected by the States and fa8 cilitate the transition from monitoring only AIDS

9 cases to monitoring both HIV cases and AIDS

10 cases.

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