Senate Resolution 89

A RESOLUTION SUPPORTING THE EFFORTS OF THE FEDERAL GOVERNMENT IN ENDING THE HIV EPIDEMIC IN THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI.

WHEREAS, in 2019, the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services launched the "Ending the HIV Epidemic (EHE) Initiative" with the goal of reducing new Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV) infections by 90% by 2030, through the four key pillars of the EHE initiative-Diagnose, Treat, Prevent and Respond; and

WHEREAS, many people may experience health literacy barriers due to social determinants, and this lack of awareness may limit an individual's ability to recognize and advocate for necessary medical care, including treatment that is best suited for their health needs, and engage in a shared decision-making approach with their providers; and

WHEREAS, the U.S. Food and Drug Administration has approved multiple pre-exposure prophylaxis (PrEP) medications that are extremely effective at preventing individuals from acquiring HIV as studies have shown a correlation between increased PrEP uptake and decreases in new HIV diagnoses in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, inequities in access to PrEP across populations vulnerable to HIV have led to increasing disparities in HIV incidence, transmission, and viral suppression, with a lower percentage of African American and Hispanics actively taking PrEP or discussing PrEP with a healthcare provider; and

WHEREAS, in order to support EHE efforts to expand access to HIV prevention therapies, all health care providers should be educated on the value of PrEP, and should be available to provide PrEP when an individual is ready for it; and

WHEREAS, states should prioritize access to PrEP, including new innovative modalities, by enforcing Affordable Care Act requirements that USPSTF Grade A- or B-rated services should be available to beneficiaries at zero cost under private insurance programs; and

WHEREAS, states should support the under and uninsured populations through support of state and federally funded PrEP programs:

NOW, THEREFORE, BE IT RESOLVED BY THE SENATE OF THE STATE OF MISSISSIPPI, That we do hereby recognize the importance of open access to all FDA-approved HIV medications and HIV-related health care services and treatments, including the crucial importance of PrEP, to the "Ending the HIV Epidemic Initiative" and to improving health outcomes, reducing health disparities and reducing transmission of HIV, and encourage state policymakers to implement policies to do the same.

BE IT FURTHER RESOLVED, That this resolution be transmitted to the Commissioner of Insurance for the State of Mississippi and made available to the Capitol Press Corps.