HIV News: Andrew Cuomo Proposes Bill To Increase HIV Testing And Treatment

There have been many studies dedicated to HIV to stop this dreaded illness. Unfortunately, many are afraid to take HIV testing and learn about their HIV status. In fact, there are HIV positive individuals who are unaware of their condition. In response to these issues, New York state Gov. Andrew Cuomo is advancing a legislation to help end the HIV or AIDS epidemic in the state.

The New HIV Bill

According to CBS, the new legislation involves several initiatives to improve the current treatment that makes New York a national leader in providing treatment and services to individuals afflicted with HIV or AIDS. Per Times Union the new bill would do the following:

• Increase the number of HIV individuals receiving care. The information whether HIV patients receive proper care or not will be shared to medical providers and care coordinators

• Streamline HIV testing and extend the age limit which is currently limited to 64

• Clarify that minors have the right to life-saving, HIV treatment and preventive services even without their parents' consent.

• Expand screening for sexually transmitted diseases (STD) and access to Post-Exposure Prophylaxis (PEP) to prevent infection. PEP involves taking antiretroviral medications the soonest possible after a potential exposure to HIV.

The goal of the new proposed bill is to lower the number of HIV infections every year in the state. At the time, the estimated HIV infection is 3,000 and the state wants to reduce this to 750 by 2020.

Andrew Coumo Supports HIV Free Screening

Buffalo reported that free HIV screenings are now offered at the UB Dental clinics operated by the University at Buffalo School of Dental Medicine. This program is supported by a grant from the New York State Department of Health and is part of Ending the Epidemic program initiated by Cuomo.

The dentists will administer oral swab to gather fluid and the results will be delivered within 20 minutes. However, to confirm positive results, they collaborated with Erie County Medical Center for a blood test.

This program enables the dentists to demonstrate their capacity in helping control HIV and they are happy with their participation. "It allows dentists to embrace the whole-body health of our patients and challenges our students to think of what they can do to help the population at large," said Michael Hatton, clinical associate professor in the UB Department of Oral Diagnostic and Sciences.

Are you happy with Andrew Coumo's new bill? Do you have any suggestions to end HIV? Share your thoughts in the comment section below.