IV 

116TH CONGRESS 

1ST SESSION H. RES. 504 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing 

and Awareness Day, and for other purposes. 

IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 

JULY 18, 2019 

Ms. WATERS (for herself, Ms. LEE of California, Ms. NORTON, Mr. DEUTCH, 

Mr. RUSH, Mr. SEAN PATRICK MALONEY of New York, Mr. PAYNE, Mr. 

COX of California, Mr. NADLER, Mr. HASTINGS, Mr. COHEN, Ms. KELLY

of Illinois, Ms. VELA ́ZQUEZ, Mr. CARSON of Indiana, Mr. CISNEROS, Mr. 

DANNY K. DAVIS of Illinois, Mr. MEEKS, Mrs. AXNE, Ms. JOHNSON of 

Texas, Mr. JOHNSON of Georgia, Ms. TITUS, Mr. CUMMINGS, Mr. 

GARCI ́A of Illinois, and Mr. SMITH of Washington) submitted the following resolution; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and 

Commerce 

RESOLUTION 

Supporting the goals and ideals of National Clinicians HIV/ 

AIDS Testing and Awareness Day, and for other purposes. 

Whereas HIV/AIDS is a devastating epidemic that continues 

to spread in communities throughout the United States; 

Whereas more than 1,800,000 people in the United States 

have been infected by HIV/AIDS since the first cases 

were reported 38 years ago; 

Whereas there are more than 1,100,000 people living with 

HIV/AIDS in the United States today; 


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•HRES 504 IH 

Whereas, every year in the United States, there are more 

than 38,500 new HIV infections; 

Whereas President Barack Obama released the National 

HIV/AIDS Strategy on July 13, 2010, in order to 

refocus attention on the domestic HIV/AIDS epidemic; 

Whereas the National HIV/AIDS Strategy focuses on three 

major goals, including reducing the number of new HIV 

infections, increasing access to care and improving health 

outcomes for people living with HIV and AIDS, and reducing HIV-related health disparities; 

Whereas HIV/AIDS is spreading rapidly among women, 

young people, and racial minorities, all of which are demographic groups that were not considered to be at significant risk of HIV infection during the early years of 

the epidemic; 

Whereas African Americans account for 43 percent of new 

HIV diagnoses, although only 12 percent of the population as a whole is Black; 

Whereas Hispanic Americans account for 26 percent of new 

HIV diagnoses, although only 18 percent of the population as a whole is Hispanic; 

Whereas Asian Americans account for 2 percent of new HIV 

diagnoses, and American Indians/Alaska Natives, Native 

Hawaiians/Pacific Islanders, and individuals of multiple 

races together account for an additional 3 percent; 

Whereas African-American women account for 59 percent of 

new HIV diagnoses among women; 

Whereas people of color account for 74 percent of new HIV 

diagnoses; 


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•HRES 504 IH 

Whereas about 15 percent of the people living with HIV/ 

AIDS in the United States do not know they are infected; 

Whereas the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 

guidelines for HIV screening in health care settings recommend routine HIV testing for all patients between the 

ages of 13 and 64, regardless of risk factors; 

Whereas individuals are more likely to act responsibly and 

protect themselves and other persons in the community 

when they know their HIV status; 

Whereas encouraging people to be tested for HIV is a critical 

element in HIV/AIDS prevention and treatment efforts; 

Whereas individuals who are HIV-positive must learn their 

status in order to obtain counseling on managing their 

health, access appropriate medical and social services, 

begin life-prolonging treatment, and take actions to avoid 

spreading the virus to others; 

Whereas physicians, physician assistants, nurses, dentists, 

and other clinicians play a vital role in providing access 

to HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, treatment, and referral 

services, and in encouraging patients to get tested for 

HIV; 

Whereas Howard University College of Medicine has declared 

July 21, 2019, to be the twelfth annual National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day in an effort 

to encourage clinicians nationwide to become actively involved in HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, treatment, and 

referral services; 

Whereas a diverse group of organizations representing communities affected by HIV/AIDS have partnered with 

Howard University College of Medicine to promote the 


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goals and ideals of National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness Day; 

Whereas the National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and 

Awareness Day will give all physicians, physician assistants, nurses, dentists, and other clinicians an opportunity 

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; 

Whereas the National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and 

Awareness Day will be a call to action to clinicians nationwide to lead the way in dispelling the myths and stigma associated with HIV testing and become vocal advocates for patients and communities; and 

Whereas the National Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and 

Awareness Day will encourage clinicians to become actively involved in HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, treatment, and referral services: Now, therefore, be it 

1 Resolved, That the House of Representatives— 

2 (1) supports the goals and ideals of the Na3 tional Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness 

4 Day; 

5 (2) encourages primary care physicians and 

6 other clinicians nationwide to become actively in7 volved in HIV/AIDS awareness, testing, treatment, 

8 and referral services; 

9 (3) encourages the media to observe the Na10 tional Clinicians HIV/AIDS Testing and Awareness 

11 Day by educating clinicians about the important role 


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•HRES 504 IH 

1 they play in providing access to HIV/AIDS aware2 ness, testing, treatment, and referral services and by 

3 educating clinicians and the public about the bene4 fits of HIV testing; and 

5 (4) encourages individuals to get tested for HIV 

6 and educate themselves about the prevention and 

7 treatment of HIV/AIDS. 

Æ 


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