Increasing Access to Voluntary Screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs Act of 2017

To provide for an evidence-based strategy for voluntary screening for HIV/AIDS and other common sexually transmitted infections, and for other purposes. 1. Short title; table of contents (a) Short title This Act may be cited as the Increasing Access to Voluntary Screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs Act of 2017 (b) Table of contents The table of contents for this Act is as follows: Sec. 1. Short title; table of contents. Sec. 2. Findings. Sec. 3. Purpose. Sec. 4. Definitions. Title I—Coverage of HIV/AIDS and STI screening under public health care programs and group health plans; Coverage of care under Medicaid. Sec. 101. Coverage of routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening tests under Medicaid. Sec. 102. Coverage of HIV/AIDS and STI screening tests under Medicare. Sec. 103. Coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening under group health plans. Sec. 104. Optional Medicaid coverage of low-income HIV/AIDS infected individuals. Title II—Increased data collection and education for historically underrepresented populations Sec. 201. People living with disabilities. Sec. 202. Women who have sex with women. Sec. 203. Transgender community. Sec. 204. Report. 2. Findings Congress finds the following: (1) The CDC estimates 20,000,000 new sexually transmitted infections (STIs) occur each year in the United States, and 50 percent of sexually active Americans will contract a STI at some point in their lives, the majority of which may be asymptomatic for an extended amount of time. (2) Over 1,200,000 people in the United States are living with HIV, and someone is infected with HIV in the United States every 9.5 minutes. (3) HIV/AIDS and STIs are syndemics. HIV infection can increase a person’s risk for acquiring certain STIs, as well as affect their frequency, severity, and healing time, while STIs increase the risk of HIV transmission, impaired fertility, reproductive tract cancer, and adverse pregnancy outcomes. (4) Many common long-term and initially asymptomatic STIs such as chlamydia, gonorrhea, herpes, syphilis, inflammatory pelvic disease, viral hepatitis, and HIV/AIDS remain undiagnosed, or diagnosed at later stages, leading to increased rates of mortality, morbidity, disability, and transmission. (5) In fact, the CDC estimates over 3.6 million Americans are living with chronic hepatitis and most do not know they are infected. Chronic hepatitis B can remain asymptomatic for years and, left undiagnosed and untreated, can lead to serious complications. Additionally, individuals infected with hepatitis C virus (HCV) are at risk for chronic liver disease or other HCV-related chronic diseases decades after infection. (6) Stigma, culture, language, lack of education, lack of insurance, limited time, cost and resources in medical settings, and an inaccurate perception of risk among communities and providers all contribute to insufficient rates of screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs. (7) The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention and the United States Preventive Services Task Force recognize screening as an effective public health tool that allows providers to administer treatment before symptoms develop and implement interventions that will reduce the likelihood of HIV/AIDS and STI transmission and reduce the development of adverse outcomes. (8) The CDC recommends that voluntary screening for HIV/AIDS be integrated into routine clinical care while preserving patient confidentiality and the right of the patient to decline testing and screening. (9) The CDC also recommends that all unvaccinated, uninfected persons being evaluated for a STI should receive hepatitis B vaccination. Furthermore, anti-HCV testing is recommended for routine screening of asymptomatic persons based on their risk for infection or based on a recognized exposure. (10) Inaccurate perceptions of risk among health care providers and patients, misdiagnosis, ageism, generational mind-sets, and biological factors have contributed to increased rates in transmission and late detection of HIV/AIDS and STIs over the past decade. (11) Health equity and disparities remain a significant public health challenge, with the burden of HIV/AIDS and STIs falling disproportionately on different populations. (12) Although African-Americans account for about 13 percent of the United States population, they account for nearly half of all HIV/AIDS cases and infections and have higher instances of mortality and morbidity for most STIs and HIV/AIDS. Also, African-American women who have sex with men account for the majority of HIV/AIDS infections among all women in the United States. (13) HIV/AIDS continues to be most prevalent among men who have sex with men (MSM). Continued support and increased funding for community-based programs and behavioral interventions that are culturally competent are key to reaching MSM, especially young MSM of color. (14) Transgender persons are particularly vulnerable to contracting HIV/AIDS and STIs due to high rates of survival sex among trans-females, discrimination in education, employment, and housing, and the absence of education and prevention methods culturally relevant to the transgender community. (15) Health care providers must be properly educated to treat groups, such as MSM, transgender persons, African-Americans, and Latinos who are disproportionately affected by HIV/AIDS and other STIs, and also improve interventions for groups that have been historically underrepresented in health interventions for STIs, such as women who have sex with women, individuals over the age of 50, Asian and Pacific Islander Americans, Native Americans, and persons living with disabilities. (16) Women living with mobility impairments often lack access to screening for STIs and other women’s health services such as pelvic examinations and mammograms due to, among other factors, the lack of provider awareness, experience, and access to equipment. (17) All individuals engaging in oral, anal, or genital sexual contact must have access to voluntary screening for HIV/AIDS and other STIs. Screening must be confidential, rapid, accurate, and medically appropriate. Screening must be offered regardless of age, race, class, sexual behavior, sexual orientation, gender identity, or disability. (18) The Congress supports the goals of the National HIV/AIDS Strategy and, in particular, the goal of 90 percent of individuals knowing their HIV/AIDS status. 3. Purpose The purposes of this Act are as follows: (1) Increase access, quality, and affordability for voluntary and medically appropriate screening for HIV/AIDS and other STIs, including chlamydia, gonorrhea, syphilis, viral hepatitis, and human papillomavirus, for all persons engaging in various forms of sexual activity, including oral, genital, or anal sex. (2) Reduce the spread, morbidity, and mortality of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. (3) Reduce the disproportionate incidence of HIV/AIDS and other STIs in certain groups through early detection and treatment and comprehensive education for health care providers, centers, and communities. (4) Support the execution of other scientifically based interventions that are culturally competent and age appropriate and are proven to reduce the incidence of HIV/AIDS and other STIs. 4. Definitions In this Act: (1) CDC The term CDC (2) CMS The term CMS (3) Director The term Director (4) HIV/AIDS The term HIV/AIDS (5) MSM The term MSM (6) Secretary The term Secretary (7) State The term State (8) STI The term STI (9) WSW The term WSW I Coverage of HIV/AIDS and STI screening under public health care programs and group health plans; Coverage of care under Medicaid. 101. Coverage of routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening tests under Medicaid (a) Inclusion in State plan Section 1902(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a(a) and (28) (28), and (29) (b) Inclusion in medical assistance (1) In general Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a) (A) in paragraph (28), by striking and (B) by redesignating paragraph (29) as paragraph (30); and (C) by inserting after paragraph (28) the following: (29) routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening services (as defined in subsection (ee)). . (2) Definition of services Section 1905 of such Act is amended by adding at the end the following: (ee) (1) For purposes of this section, the term routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening services (A) A screening test for HIV/AIDS or any other STI, if such test is provided to an individual who— (i) is eligible for medical assistance under the State plan; and (ii) is described in clauses (ii) through (v) of section 1861(jjj)(1)(A). (B) Each of the services described in subparagraphs (B) through (F) of section 1861(jjj)(1). (2) Definitions For purposes of this subsection, the terms HIV/AIDS STI . (c) No cost sharing for HIV/AIDS testing (1) In general Section 1916(a)(2) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o(a)(2) (A) in subparagraph (D), by striking or (B) in subparagraph (E), by striking ; and , or (C) by adding at the end the following: (F) routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening services (as such term is defined in section 1905(ee)); and . (2) Limitation on State option for alternative cost sharing Section 1916A(b)(3)(B) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396o–1(b)(3)(B) (xi) Routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening services (as such term is defined in section 1905(ee)). . (d) Effective date (1) In general Except as provided by paragraph (2) (2) Rules for changes requiring State legislation In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature. 102. Coverage of HIV/AIDS and STI screening tests under Medicare Section 1861 of the Social Security Act is amended— (1) in subsection (s)— (A) by striking and (B) by striking the period at the end of paragraph (15) and inserting ; and (C) by redesignating paragraphs (16) and (17) as paragraphs (17) and (18), respectively; and (D) by inserting after paragraph (15) the following: (16) routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening services (as such term is defined in subsection (jjj)). ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (jjj) Routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening services (1) For purposes of this section, the term routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening services (A) A screening test for HIV/AIDS or any other STI, if such test is provided in any health care setting (other than an inpatient hospital setting) and is provided to an individual who— (i) is enrolled in part B; (ii) is at least 13 years of age; (iii) with respect to a test for HIV/AIDS, is not known to the health care provider (directly, through information provided by the individual, or through access to an electronic medical record) to have had a previous positive test for HIV/AIDS; (iv) subject to subparagraph (B) (v) has been informed that such a test will be administered and has not objected to such a test. (B) If a test described under subparagraph (A) (i) HIV/AIDS, a confirmatory test; or (ii) a STI other than HIV/AIDS, if reasonable and necessary, a confirmatory test. (C) The interpretation of any tests provided under subparagraph (A) subparagraph (B) (D) Informing an individual who receives a test under subparagraph (A) subparagraph (B) (E) If an individual tests positive for HIV/AIDS on a screening test under subparagraph (A) subparagraph (B) (i) post-test counseling concerning HIV/AIDS and STIs at the time the individual is informed of the results of the test; and (ii) if appropriate, a referral to medical or mental health services. (F) If an individual tests positive for a STI on a screening test under subparagraph (A) subparagraph (B) (2) Definitions For purposes of this subsection: (A) HIV/AIDS The term HIV/AIDS (B) STI The term STI . 103. Coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening under group health plans (a) Group health plans (1) Public Health Service Act amendment Title XXVII of the Public Health Service Act 42 U.S.C. 300gg–28 Public Law 111–148 2729. Coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening (a) Coverage A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group or individual health insurance coverage, shall provide coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening under terms and conditions that are no less favorable than the terms and conditions applicable to other routine health screenings. (b) Prohibitions A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing group or individual health insurance coverage, shall not— (1) deny to an individual eligibility, or continued eligibility, to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan, solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this section; (2) deny coverage for routine HIV/AIDS or STI screening on the basis that there are no known risk factors present, or the screening is not clinically indicated, medically necessary, or pursuant to a referral, consent, or recommendation by any health care provider; (3) provide monetary payments, rebates, or other benefits to individuals to encourage such individuals to accept less than the minimum protections available under this section; (4) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of a provider because such provider provided care to an individual participant or beneficiary in accordance with this section; (5) provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to a provider to induce such provider to provide care to an individual participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this section; or (6) deny to an individual participant or beneficiary continued eligibility to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan, solely because of the results of an HIV/AIDS or STI test, or other HIV/AIDS and STI screening procedure, for the individual or any other individual. (c) Rules of Construction Nothing in this section shall be construed— (1) to require an individual who is a participant or beneficiary to undergo HIV/AIDS or STI screening; or (2) as preventing a group health plan or issuer from imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing in relation to HIV/AIDS or STI screening, except that such deductibles, coinsurance or other cost-sharing may not be greater than the deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing imposed on other routine health screenings. (d) Notice A group health plan under this part shall comply with the notice requirement under section 716(d) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 with respect to the requirements of this section as if such section applied to such plan. (e) Preemption Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any State law in effect on the date of enactment of this section with respect to health insurance coverage that requires coverage of at least the coverage of HIV/AIDS or STI screening otherwise required under this section. . (2) ERISA amendments The Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 is amended as follows: (A) In subpart B of part 7 of subtitle B of title I, by adding at the end the following new section: 716. Coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening (a) Coverage A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, shall provide coverage for routine HIV screening under terms and conditions that are no less favorable than the terms and conditions applicable to other routine health screenings. (b) Prohibitions A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer offering group health insurance coverage, shall not— (1) deny to an individual eligibility, or continued eligibility, to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan, solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this section; (2) deny coverage for routine HIV screening on the basis that there are no known risk factors present, or the screening is not clinically indicated, medically necessary, or pursuant to a referral, consent, or recommendation by any health care provider; (3) provide monetary payments, rebates, or other benefits to individuals to encourage such individuals to accept less than the minimum protections available under this section; (4) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of a provider because such provider provided care to an individual participant or beneficiary in accordance with this section; (5) provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to a provider to induce such provider to provide care to an individual participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this section; or (6) deny to an individual participant or beneficiary continued eligibility to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan, solely because of the results of an HIV test or other HIV screening procedure for the individual or any other individual. (c) Rules of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed— (1) to require an individual who is a participant or beneficiary to undergo HIV/AIDS or STI screening; or (2) as preventing a group health plan or issuer from imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing in relation to HIV/AIDS or STI screening, except that such deductibles, coinsurance or other cost-sharing may not be greater than the deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing imposed on other routine health screenings. (d) Notice under group health plan A group health plan, and a health insurance issuer providing health insurance coverage in connection with a group health plan, shall provide notice to each participant and beneficiary under such plan regarding the coverage required by this section in accordance with regulations promulgated by the Secretary. Such notice shall be in writing and prominently positioned in any literature or correspondence made available or distributed by the plan or issuer and shall be transmitted, by whichever is earliest of the following: (1) In the next mailing made by the plan or issuer to the participant or beneficiary. (2) As part of any yearly informational packet sent to the participant or beneficiary. (3) Not later than July 1, 2017. (e) Preemption; relation to State laws (1) In general Nothing in this section shall be construed to preempt any State law in effect on the date of enactment of this section with respect to health insurance coverage that requires coverage of at least the coverage of HIV/AIDS or STI screening otherwise required under this section. (2) ERISA Nothing in this section shall be construed to affect or modify the provisions of section 514 with respect to group health plans. . (B) In section 732(a) of the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 ( 29 U.S.C. 1191a(a) section 711 sections 711 and 716 (C) In the table of contents in section 1 of such Act, by inserting after the item relating to section 714 the following new item: Sec. 715. Additional market reforms. Sec. 716. Coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening. . (3) Internal Revenue Code amendments (A) In general The Internal Revenue Code of 1986 is amended by inserting after section 9815 the following new section: 9816. Coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening (a) Coverage A group health plan shall provide coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening under terms and conditions that are no less favorable than the terms and conditions applicable to other routine health screenings. (b) Prohibitions A group health plan shall not— (1) deny to an individual eligibility, or continued eligibility, to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan, solely for the purpose of avoiding the requirements of this section; (2) deny coverage for routine HIV/AIDS or STI screening on the basis that there are no known risk factors present, or the screening is not clinically indicated, medically necessary, or pursuant to a referral, consent, or recommendation by any health care provider; (3) provide monetary payments, rebates, or other benefits to individuals to encourage such individuals to accept less than the minimum protections available under this section; (4) penalize or otherwise reduce or limit the reimbursement of a provider because such provider provided care to an individual participant or beneficiary in accordance with this section; (5) provide incentives (monetary or otherwise) to a provider to induce such provider to provide care to an individual participant or beneficiary in a manner inconsistent with this section; or (6) deny to an individual participant or beneficiary continued eligibility to enroll or to renew coverage under the terms of the plan, solely because of the results of an HIV/AIDS or STI test, or other HIV/AIDS and STI screening procedure, for the individual or any other individual. (c) Rules of construction Nothing in this section shall be construed— (1) to require an individual who is a participant or beneficiary to undergo HIV/AIDS or STI screening; or (2) as preventing a group health plan or issuer from imposing deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing in relation to HIV/AIDS or STI screening, except that such deductibles, coinsurance or other cost-sharing may not be greater than the deductibles, coinsurance, or other cost-sharing imposed on other routine health screenings. . (B) Conforming amendment Section 4980D(d)(1) of such Code is amended by striking section 9811 sections 9811 and 9816 (C) Clerical amendment The table of contents for subchapter B of chapter 1 of such Code is amended by inserting after the item relating to section 9815 the following new item: Sec. 9816. Coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening. . (b) Application under Federal Employees Health Benefits Program Section 8902 of title 5, United States Code, is amended by adding at the end the following new subsection: (p) A contract may not be made or a plan approved which does not comply with the requirements of section 2729 of the Public Health Service Act. . (c) Effective dates Notwithstanding any other provision of law, the amendments made by subsections (a) and (b) shall apply with respect to plan years beginning on or after July 1, 2017, and with respect to health insurance coverage issued on or after such date. (d) Coordination of administration The Secretary of Labor, the Secretary of Health and Human Services, and the Secretary of the Treasury shall ensure, through the execution of an interagency memorandum of understanding among such Secretaries, that— (1) regulations, rulings, and interpretations issued by such Secretaries relating to the same matter over which two or more such Secretaries have responsibility under the provisions of this section (and the amendments made thereby) are administered so as to have the same effect at all times; and (2) coordination of policies relating to enforcing the same requirements through such Secretaries in order to have a coordinated enforcement strategy that avoids duplication of enforcement efforts and assigns priorities in enforcement. 104. Optional Medicaid coverage of low-income HIV/AIDS infected individuals (a) In general Section 1902 of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396a (1) in subsection (a)(10)(A)(ii)— (A) by striking or (B) by adding or (C) by adding at the end the following: (XXIII) on or before December 31, 2017, who are described in subsection (ll) (relating to HIV/AIDS infected individuals); ; and (2) by adding at the end the following: (ll) individuals described in this subsection are individuals— (1) who are not described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i); (2) who have HIV/AIDS, as defined under section 1905(ee); (3) whose income (as determined under the State plan under this title with respect to disabled individuals) does not exceed the maximum amount of income a disabled individual described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) may have to obtain medical assistance under the plan; and (4) whose resources (as determined under the State plan under this title with respect to disabled individuals) do not exceed the maximum amount of resources a disabled individual described in subsection (a)(10)(A)(i) may have to obtain medical assistance under the plan. . (b) Enhanced match (1) In general The first sentence of section 1905(b) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(b) section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XVIII) subclause (XVIII) and subclause (XXIII) of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii) (2) Conforming amendments Section 1905(a) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1396d(a) (A) by striking or (B) by striking or (C) by adding or (D) by inserting after clause (xvii) the following: (xviii) individuals described in section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII); . (c) Exemption from funding limitation for territories Section 1108(g) of the Social Security Act ( 42 U.S.C. 1308(g) (6) Disregarding medical assistance for optional low-income HIV/AIDS infected individuals The limitations under subsection (f) and the previous provisions of this subsection shall not apply to amounts expended for medical assistance for individuals described in section 1902(ll) who are only eligible for such assistance on the basis of section 1902(a)(10)(A)(ii)(XXIII). . (d) Effective date (1) In general Except as provided by paragraph (2) (2) Rules for changes requiring State legislation In the case of a State plan for medical assistance under title XIX of the Social Security Act which the Secretary of Health and Human Services determines requires State legislation (other than legislation appropriating funds) in order for the plan to meet the additional requirement imposed by the amendments made by this section, the State plan shall not be regarded as failing to comply with the requirements of such title solely on the basis of its failure to meet this additional requirement before the first day of the first calendar quarter beginning after the close of the first regular session of the State legislature that begins after the date of the enactment of this Act. For purposes of the previous sentence, in the case of a State that has a 2-year legislative session, each year of such session shall be deemed to be a separate regular session of the State legislature. II Increased data collection and education for historically underrepresented populations 201. People living with disabilities (a) Tracking of information The Director shall— (1) track national HIV/AIDS and STI screening trends and the burdens of HIV/AIDS and STIs among people with disabilities, including such persons with mental, physical, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities; and (2) identify and assess the barriers that prevent such persons from accessing HIV/AIDS and STI screening. (b) Tracking methodology (1) In general The tracking methods used by the Secretary under subsection (a) shall— (A) focus upon historically underrepresented communities, including the deaf and hearing loss-related community and the cognitive, intellectual, developmental, mobility, or mental health disability communities; and (B) consider other factors that may contribute to increased burdens of HIV/AIDS and STIs, including race, socio-economic status, region, gender identity, and sexual behavior. (2) Sexual assault data Tracking under subsection (a) shall include data collection on the incidence of sexual assault on people with mental, physical, cognitive, intellectual, or developmental disabilities for the purposes of understanding the prevalence of HIV/AIDS and STIs that result from such assaults. (c) Deaf and hearing loss community (1) In general The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall work with appropriate organizations and institutions to make comprehensive sex education materials that promote voluntary screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs accessible to the deaf and hearing loss community through language (including American Sign Language), modalities (including highly graphic formats with minimal text), and culturally appropriate information delivery. (2) Health careers and education The Secretary shall— (A) work with appropriate individuals, organizations, and institutions to increase the number of people who are deaf or living with hearing loss in public health careers for the purposes of— (i) building the public health infrastructure to improve data collection; and (ii) health information dissemination to people who are deaf or who live with hearing loss; and (B) engage students in elementary school, high school, college, and graduate school for the purposes of carrying out this paragraph. (d) Cognitive and intellectual disability community The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall work with appropriate national and local organizations to make comprehensive sex education materials accessible to people with intellectual disabilities by— (1) using plain language; (2) educating service providers about the signs and symptoms of sexual assault among people with cognitive and intellectual disabilities; and (3) using other appropriate information delivery strategies. (e) Women living with severe physical disabilities The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall work with Federal, State, and local entities to track access to pelvic examinations, mammograms, and other women’s health services for women with severe mobility impairments with the goal of improving access to such services. 202. Women who have sex with women (a) National screening guidelines The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall work with Federal, State, and local health entities to ensure that national screening guidelines for cervical cancer state that WSW should be subject to the same screening guidelines for cervical cancer as women who have sex only with men. (b) Information collection The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall, with respect to the WSW community— (1) track national trends in screening for HIV/AIDS and other STIs; and (2) collect information on— (A) the burdens and behavior of HIV/AIDS and STIs; and (B) other reproductive health concerns. 203. Transgender community (a) Data collection The Secretary, acting through the Director, shall work with Federal, State, and local health entities and transgender communities to improve information collection concerning the transmission, morbidity, and screening for HIV/AIDS and other STIs in transgender communities. (b) Information classification For purposes of acquiring a comprehensive understanding of the unique health trends among, and aspects of, the transgender community, the Secretary shall promulgate regulations requiring that, for purposes of public health studies requiring data collection, the fact that an individual is transgender shall be a distinct category and data point. 204. Report (a) In general Not later than 3 years after the date of the enactment of this Act, the Secretary shall submit a report to Congress on the activities required under this Act. (b) Contents The report issued to Congress under subsection (a) shall include— (1) information on the success of voluntary screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs, as well as other methods for preventing the transmission of HIV/AIDS and STIs among Medicaid and Medicare beneficiaries, patients at federally qualified health centers, individuals with health insurance, MSM, WSW, persons living with disabilities, the transgender community, and other groups that have been historically underrepresented in public health interventions for HIV/AIDS and STIs; and (2) recommendations on how to improve existing measures with respect to race, socioeconomic status, region, gender identity, disability, age, and sexual behavior— (A) to increase access to screening; and (B) to decrease the disparities in mortality and morbidity from HIV/AIDS and other STIs.

Summary: Increasing Access to Voluntary Screening for HIV/AIDS and STIs Act of 2017 This bill amends title XVIII (Medicare) and title XIX (Medicaid) of the Social Security Act to require Medicare and state Medicaid programs to provide routine HIV/AIDS and sexually transmitted infection (STI) screening services. State Medicaid programs must provide these services without cost sharing for the screened individual. The bill amends the Public Health Service Act, the Employee Retirement Income Security Act of 1974 (ERISA), and the Internal Revenue Code to require group health plans and health insurers to provide coverage for routine HIV/AIDS and STI screening under no less favorable terms than other routine health screenings. The bill prohibits activities to avoid these requirements. State Medicaid programs may receive enhanced federal matching funds for covering individuals with HIV/AIDS whose income and resources do not exceed the limits for disabled individuals. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) must track STI screening trends and other information regarding people with disabilities and women who have sex with women. The CDC must work with others to: (1) make sex education materials accessible to the deaf and hearing loss community and to people with intellectual disabilities, (2) track access to women's health services for women with severe mobility impairments, (3) increase the number of people in public health careers who are deaf or living with hearing loss, (4) ensure that cervical cancer screening guidelines state that women who have sex with women should be subject to the same screening as women who have sex with men, and (5) improve information collection concerning STIs in transgender communities.