[Congressional Bills 117th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H. Res. 1370 Introduced in House (IH)]
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117th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. RES. 1370
Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV/AIDS and Aging
Awareness Day.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
September 19, 2022
Ms. Lee of California (for herself, Mr. Johnson of Georgia, Mrs.
Carolyn B. Maloney of New York, Mr. Quigley, Mr. Tonko, Mr. Soto, Ms.
Bush, and Ms. Davids of Kansas) submitted the following resolution;
which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
RESOLUTION
Supporting the goals and ideals of National HIV/AIDS and Aging
Awareness Day.
Whereas National HIV/AIDS and Aging Awareness Day is a nationwide observance
that brings attention to the growing number of people living long and
full lives with HIV/AIDS to their health, and to their social needs;
Whereas more than 40 years into the epidemic, the Centers for Disease Control
and Prevention estimates that in the United States there are more than
1,200,000 people living with HIV/AIDS, and every year approximately
40,000 people acquire HIV/AIDS;
Whereas over half of people living with HIV/AIDS in the United States and
dependent areas are individuals who are aged 50 and over;
Whereas globally, there are 5,700,000 people living with HIV/AIDS aged 50 and
older;
Whereas in the United States, one in six of every new HIV diagnosis is of an
individual aged 50 and over;
Whereas research indicates that older people in the United States are more
likely than younger individuals in the United States to be diagnosed
with HIV late in the course of their disease, meaning such older people
are more likely to be dually diagnosed with HIV and AIDS;
Whereas the Department of Health and Human Services reports that people living
with HIV for many years can exhibit clinical characteristics observed in
aging, including multiple chronic diseases or coexisting conditions, the
use of multiple medications, changes in physical and cognitive
abilities, and increased vulnerability to stressors; and
Whereas September 18 of each year is recognized as National HIV/AIDS and Aging
Awareness Day: Now, therefore, be it
Resolved, That the House of Representatives--
(1) supports the goals and ideals of National HIV/AIDS and
Aging Awareness Day;
(2) encourages Tribal, State, territorial, and local
governments, including their public health agencies, geriatric
providers and professionals, social service providers, State
units on aging, area agencies on aging, and media organizations
to recognize and support such a day;
(3) supports the right of older people to HIV education,
prevention, treatment, and care, and to live without
criminalization, discrimination, oppression, and stigma;
(4) supports increased services and access to health care
and treatment for people living with HIV, particularly older
people, who are among the estimated 400,000 people living with
HIV/AIDS who are not in care or virally suppressed;
(5) supports sound policymaking based on the premise of
Treatment as Prevention (TasP) or Undetectable=Untransmittable,
or U=U;
(6) supports the repeal of HIV laws and policies that are
scientifically inaccurate and unfairly criminalize older people
living with HIV for behaviors that are consensual or have no
risk of transmissions;
(7) urges age-friendly and accessible health care services,
especially access to HIV testing and antiretroviral therapy
without regard to age, to better provide for the early
identification of HIV among people of all ages, and to connect
those in need of clinically and culturally appropriate care and
treatment as early as possible;
(8) supports the increase of funding for programs that
support older people impacted by and living with HIV/AIDS,
including the HIV Health Care Services Program under title XXVI
of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 300ff-11 et seq.)
(commonly referred to as the Ryan White HIV/AIDS program), the
Medicaid program under title XIX of the Social Security Act (42
U.S.C. 1396 et seq.), the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral
Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention Program of the Centers for
Disease Control and Prevention, Housing Opportunities for
Persons With AIDS program under the AIDS Housing Opportunity
Act (42 U.S.C. 12901 et seq.), and programs that support older
people living with HIV/AIDS, including by--
(A) educating communities on testing and treatment
options for older people living with HIV/AIDS; and
(B) helping older people to access preexposure
prophylaxis and postexposure prophylaxis to prevent
acquisition of HIV; and
(9) recommends a comprehensive HIV prevention and treatment
strategy that empowers older people, public health workers,
social service providers, geriatric providers and
professionals, faith leaders, and other stakeholders to fully
engage with their communities and families to improve the
quality of life and health for older people living with HIV/
AIDS, to--
(A) help decrease violence, discrimination, and
stigma toward individuals who disclose their sexual
orientation or HIV status; and
(B) provide them the services and supports they
need as they age.
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