Rangel Recognizes National HIV Testing Day

Statement

Congressman Charles B. Rangel, who represents the 13th Congressional District of New York that includes Upper Manhattan and parts of the Bronx, released the following statement to recognize National HIV Testing Day, which is June 27, 2016:

"I encourage everyone to get tested on National HIV Testing Day and promote HIV awareness. More than 1.2 million people, aged 13 years and older, are living with HIV in the United States; however, about 150,000 people are unaware of their infection. It is crucial that communities all over America address the HIV crisis and work to find solutions that increase access to prevention, testing, and treatment.

As a Representative of a congressional district with a predominately Black and Hispanic population disproportionately affected by HIV, I have fought for H.R. 3396, the CURE Act, which provides grants to community-based organizations and health agencies for the prevention of and testing for HIV. With the support of my colleagues, the CURE is an important step towards combatting HIV. In New York, Blacks and Hispanics made up almost 70% of estimated new infections in 2013, while they made up only 32% of the NY population. I have been fighting in Congress to increase accessibility to HIV testing and treatment for all Americans. As a cosponsor of H.R. 3637, the HIV Clinical Services Improvement Act, I helped to guarantee funding for community clinics and health centers that deliver care to over 275,000 people per year. I also co-sponsored H.R. 768, the Stop AIDS in Prison Act of 2015, which provides HIV testing and treatment for inmates and H.R. 4470, the Routine HIV Screening Coverage Act, which facilitates access to routine HIV testing.

While the infection has serious consequences, we must address HIV with optimism. Recent developments in medicine have greatly reduced the rate of mother-to-child transmissions of HIV--fewer than 200 babies with HIV are born each year in the United States. If tested soon and treated properly, people living with the disease have the ability to sustain long and dynamic lives. However, this all begins with testing. Everyone has a responsibility to learn of his or her HIV status and contribute to the worldwide efforts to slow new infections and eventually eradicate the disease."

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