WASHINGTON, DC- Congressman Charles B. Rangel issued the following statement in recognition of National HIV Testing Day on June 27th, 2012:

"Today we recognize National HIV Testing Day, a day in which we encourage people of all ages to take control of their health and take the test. The Center for AIDS Research, Education, and Services estimates that more than 1.1 million people in America are living with HIV/AIDS today. It is important that we promote awareness on the importance of prevention to both those who are at risk and those already living with the deadly virus.

HIV/AIDS can affect anyone regardless of gender, color, age, and socio-economic background. Nevertheless, there is a large disparity of new infections among Blacks and Hispanics across our country. Blacks accounted for 46% of all new HIV infections cases diagnosed in 2010. Black men and women are 9.5 times and 20 times, respectively, more likely to die of AIDS than Caucasian men and women. Hispanics are almost 3 times more likely to be diagnosed with AIDS than Caucasians and 2.3 times and 3.4 times, respectively, more likely to die of AIDS. As a Representative of a congressional district that is predominately Black and Hispanic, I am deeply concerned with the atrocious impact of HIV/AIDS on my constituents.

I am fighting to ensure that we achieve a major victory in the battle against HIV/AIDS. I was proud to be the House sponsor of the Affordable Care Act, which requires insurance companies to cover preventative HIV screenings for all insured adults. Also, together with Senator Kirsten Gillibrand, I introduced a bill which authorizes the Department of Human and Health Services (HHS) to appropriate grants to community and faith based organizations that provide outreach, prevention, and testing services. In addition, I have co-sponsored various bills that advocate for the elimination of HIV/AIDS. Such as, the Routine HIV Screening Coverage Act which would provide coverage for routine screenings and the Stop AIDS in Prison Act, which would provide HIV testing, treatment, and prevention for inmates in federal prisons and upon reentry into the community.

I commend all the local community health organizations in our congressional district for advocating for those at risk of HIV/AIDS through prevention educational resource, treatment and care. The Renaissance Health Care Network Diagnostic and Treatment Center has a HIV/AIDS program that conducts more than 48,000 counseling sessions annually and provides community presentations on advances in HIV prevention, treatment, nutrition, and long-term survival. The Family Care Center program in Harlem Hospital Center provides comprehensive care, including counseling for those families affected by or living with HIV, medical care, and psychological and social services. The Abyssinian Baptist Church provides spiritual outreach services through love and prayer, while collaborating with community organizations to increase awareness.

Over the last several years, the majority of HIV/AIDS prevention organizations provided the public with testing, educational programs, and healthcare services regardless of the patient's insurance status. We have countless of other organizations and centers that are advocating to ending the HIV/AIDS epidemic and that provide invaluable services such as free HIV testing. These organizations include: Alianza Dominicana Inc, AIDS Walk New York, AIDS Vaccine Coalition, Harlem United Community AIDS Center, Forging Ahead for Community Empowerment and Support, Caring Hands for Positive Woman Inc, HIV Prevention, Research, and Treatment, St. Mary’s Center Inc, William F. Ryan Community Health Center, Foundation for Research on Sexually Transmitted Diseases Inc, Harlem United COBRA Case Management Program, among many more.

I urge my constituents and everyone across our nation to act now and get tested today. For information on HIV testing sites and help services, please visit http://aids.gov/. Getting tested and educated on the spread of HIV/AIDS can help us eradicate this epidemic."