8/9/2019 Testing Bill Press Statement Final
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NYAC 400 B roadway 2n dFloor New York , New York 10013
Tel: (646) 744-1598 Fax: (212) 334-7956 Web:
www.nyaidscoalition.org
Brittany R. Allen, Executive Director
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE Media Contact: Daryl Cochrane
June 30, 2010 (917) 548-6518 or [email protected]
STATE LEGISLATURE PASSES LEGISLATION
TO MAKE HIV TESTING MORE ROUTINE IN HEALTHCARE
Albany, NY The State Legislature just passed legislation that
will increase HIV testing throughout the state.The bill
(S.08227/A.11487) introduced by State Senate and State Assembly
Health Committee ChairmenTom Duane (D-Manhattan) and Richard
Gottfried (D-Manhattan) seeks to make HIV testing a routine part
ofeveryday healthcare for New Yorkers. This bill would mandate the
offering of an HIV testing, as well asdecrease barriers to testing
for healthcare providers and patients.
Brittany R. Allen, Executive Director of NYAC, stated This
legislation will go a long way to get more NewYorkers tested for
HIV, detect HIV infection earlier for those who are positive, get
people into proper care, and
lower the overall rate of HIV infection in this state.
This bill will significantly decrease the stigma associated with
HIV/AIDS, while increasing the number of peopletested each year. By
simply offering the test to virtually every patient as part of
their routine care, regardless oftheir perceived risk, we will see
the standard of care improve across the state. Now every New Yorker
willknow his or her HIV status, and will be better able to make
informed decisions about their lives. Further, certainconsents for
HIV testing will be included among general medical consent forms,
eliminating the need forseparate consent in most cases. In
addition, the bill will compel healthcare providers to increase the
availabilityof the rapid HIV test, rather than the standard blood
test, thereby reducing the time it takes to get results.
The importance of this legislation is far reaching in its goal
to end the HIV/AIDS epidemic. Approximately oneof every four New
Yorkers living with HIV is unaware of his or her status. In
addition, we know that nearly 70percent of new infections each year
are caused by people who are unaware of their HIV status. By
gettingmore New Yorkers tested and by getting those who test
positive into proper care, we will see a significantdecrease in the
number of new infections.
Far too many New Yorkers are HIV infected and not aware of their
status, said Sharen Duke, NYAC BoardMember and CEO of the AIDS
Service Center NYC. The Duane/Gottfried HIV Testing Bill makes
sense, andincreases access to testing that can help people learn
their HIV status and receive early care and treatment.
Carine Jocelyn, a NYAC Board Member and Executive Director of
Diaspora Community Services, stated Thisbill will make great
strides in removing the stigma associated with HIV/AIDS.
Particularly in the Caribbeancommunity, where the toll of the AIDS
epidemic is second only to Sub-Saharan Africa and remains the
leadingcause of death for those age15 to 44, stigma is significant
and prevents people from utilizing proper preventiontechniques and
seeking proper care. This bill will make HIV testing routine for
everyone.
NYAC applauds the efforts of Governor David Paterson, Health
Commissioner Dr. Richard Daines, as well asState Senator Duane and
Assemblymember Gottfried for their incredible efforts to bring
forward this legislation.
EDUCATE. ADVOCATE. MOBILIZE.
About NYAC Established in 1988, the New York AIDS Coalition
brings together diverse constituencies sharing theconviction that
community-based services are key in the fight against HIV/AIDS.
NYACs mission is to secure, strengthen,and enhanceNew Yorks
community-based fight against AIDS and to promote the fair and
compassionate treatment ofNew Yorkers living with HIV disease. NYAC
members include over 180 organizations throughout New York
Staterepresenting the full spectrum of communities most severely
affected by the AIDS epidemic. Visit our website
atwww.nyaidscoalition.org.
