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 expedi-
tiously 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 syn-
drome (commonly known as AIDS), and there is usually
a period of at least several years between the time of in-
fection 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 mi-
nority 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 sys-
tems alone do not offer a comprehensive understanding
of the HIV epidemic;
Whereas because of the limitations of AIDS surveillance sys-
tems, 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 devel-
opment of effective prevention, care, and treatment pro-
grams;
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 de-
partments: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That it is the sense of the House of Rep-
resentatives that—
(1) the States should move with all deliberate
speed to implement HIV surveillance systems in
order to provide accurate and reliable data concern-
ing the incidence and prevalence of cases of HIV in-
fection;
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(2) the Federal Government and the States
should ensure that funds follow the epidemiological
trends of HIV infection;
(3) the House of Representatives recognizes
that there are different approaches to carrying out
HIV surveillance systems and that the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention should respect the
right of each State to determine the best approach
to implementing an HIV surveillance system in that
State;
(4) a State that elects to implement an HIV
surveillance system should assess the security and
confidentiality of HIV surveillance data, and should
carefully review its laws providing for civil and
criminal penalties for breaches of confidentiality and
make appropriate changes to ensure patient con-
fidentiality;
(5) HIV surveillance systems should not be de-
veloped that deter people from using anonymous
HIV counseling and testing services and other HIV
prevention programs;
(6) each State should work with HIV commu-
nity planning groups reflective of the demographics
of HIV infection and with other local medical and
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public health institutions to develop their own HIV
surveillance programs; and
(7) the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion should provide comprehensive guidance to
States and provide increased funds and technical as-
sistance to ensure the quality and efficiency of HIV
surveillance systems selected by the States and fa-
cilitate the transition from monitoring only AIDS
cases to monitoring both HIV cases and AIDS
cases.
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