BOSTON, Mass. —Tomorrow, April 26th, Governor Deval Patrick will sign “An Act To Increase Routine Screening of HIV.” This bill will modernize the Commonwealth’s HIV testing laws by replacing the need for written consent before an HIV test can be administered with verbal consent. AIDS Action Committee President and CEO Rebecca Haag issued the following statement in response:
“AIDS Action Committee has long supported expanded HIV testing in Massachusetts, and this bill will help make that happen. There are an estimated 25,000 to 27,000 people living with HIV/AIDS in Massachusetts, but approximately 21% of them are unaware that they are HIV positive according to estimates by the U.S. Centers for Disease Control. We cannot end the AIDS epidemic in Massachusetts if those who are HIV positive are unaware of their status. Increased HIV testing will help get those infected into care and treatment earlier and will result in better health outcomes and lower health care costs for those who are living with HIV.
“Massachusetts has long been a national leader in the fight against AIDS. New diagnoses of HIV have declined by 54% since 1999 which will result in $2B savings in health care costs. However, many challenges remain. Too many people aren’t engaging in care and treatment until late in their disease state; stigma attached to HIV/AIDS status remains strong in many communities; and fewer resources are available to those infected, affected, and at risk for HIV. The AIDS Action Committee is committed to working with clinicians, patients, families, and advocates to reduce other barriers that stand in the way of ending this epidemic. Today is a huge step forward in achieving our goals.”
About AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts
AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is the state’s leading provider of prevention and wellness services for people vulnerable to HIV infection. It provides services to one in six people in Massachusetts living with an HIV diagnosis. These services include HIV counseling and testing; needle exchange; mental health counseling; housing assistance; and legal services. AIDS Action works to prevent new HIV infections, support those affected by HIV, and tackle the root causes of HIV/AIDS by educating the public and health professionals about HIV prevention and care; and advocating for fair and effective HIV/AIDS policy at the city, state, and federal levels. Founded in 1983, AIDS Action Committee of Massachusetts is New England’s first and largest AIDS service organization. Learn more at www.aac.org.
