 
February 18, 2009
Texas Bill Will Expand Routine HIV Testing
Lawmakers from two Texas cities with the highest incidence of HIV in the state filed legislation February 17 that will make screening for the virus part of routine checkups, The Associated Press (AP) reports.
Sen. Rodney Ellis (D–Houston) and Rep. Yvonne Davis (D–Dallas) hope to expand HIV screening through Senate Bill 877, which is in line with the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention’s 2006 recommendation that voluntary HIV tests be offered to patients as young as 13.
According to the Texas Department of State and Health Services’ data for 2007, more than half of the state’s 62,000 HIV-positive people live in Houston and Dallas alone. In addition, the AP reports, Texas ranks fourth in the nation for reported HIV cases.
“Early diagnosis is a key to fighting the disease and its spread,” Ellis said. “The sooner a person is made aware of their status, the sooner they can change their behavior.”
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