REMARKS
Council Member Lynn C. Schulman opens Health Committee meeting on expanding availability of rapid testing for Sexually Transmitted Infections (STIs)
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5 min
Council Member Lynn C. Schulman introduces legislation to expand low-cost rapid STI testing services across New York City.
- The Department of Health and Mental Hygiene will be required to open two additional rapid testing facilities by 2027.
- Rapid STI testing, including HIV testing, provides fast and accurate results for quicker access to care and treatment.
- The city restored and baselined $5,300,000 for HIV and AIDS services providers in the FY 25 budget.
- New HIV infections in New York City have plateaued after previous year-over-year decreases.
- The legislation aims to address rising STI rates and promote safe sex practices in the city.
Lynn C. Schulman
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Good morning, everyone.
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I am Council member Lynn Schulman, Chair of the New York City Council's Committee on Health.
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Thank you to my colleagues for joining us at today's vote on proposed introduction 435 dash a by council member Pierina Sanchez.
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In relation to expanding availability of rapid testing for sexually transmitted infections.
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I am joined by council members, my c's, De La Rosa, areola, Momorado,
Mercedes Narcisse
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a Jaeger.
Lynn C. Schulman
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Today, we are voting on legislation requiring that the and council member Feliz.
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We today, we are voting on legislation requiring the Department of Health And Mental Hygiene to make no cost and low cost rapid testing services for sexually transmitted infections or STIs more widely available throughout New York City.
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While traditional STI testing results can take up to a week to report.
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Can we have to pause for one second?
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Thank you.
UNKNOWN
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Check 12.
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Check 12.
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Are you picking us up on Zoom?
Lynn C. Schulman
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I can hear.
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This is Generale.
UNKNOWN
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Thank you, customer vision error.
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We shall resume in a moment.
UNKNOWN
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I'm on the Zoom too.
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I just make sure you can hear me.
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Thanks.
UNKNOWN
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Picking you up loud and clear council member.
Lynn C. Schulman
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Today, we are first, I wanna acknowledge that we've been joined by council member, Pierina Sanchez.
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Today, we are voting on legislation requiring the Department of Health And Mental Hygiene to make no cost and low cost rapid testing services for sexually transmitted infections or STIs were widely available throughout New York City.
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While traditional STI testing results can take up to a week to report, Rapid STI testing, which includes HIV testing, allows individuals to receive confidential, fast, and highly accurate results so that they can take quick action to obtain care and necessary treatment.
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DOHMH currently offers rapid STI testing 5 days a week, and it's Chelsea and Fort Green Express clinics.
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Anyone who is twelve or older can receive services at any clinic regardless of immigration status parental consent is not necessary.
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Proposed introduction 435A represents the next step in our continuing efforts to expand access to fast and accurate STI and HIV testing, ensuring that such testing is available to more New Yorkers.
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Under this legislation, DOHMH would be required to open 2 additional rapid testing facilities the 1st by 2026 and the 2nd by 2027 with recent data showing an increase in STRI rates in New York city over the past several years.
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It is more important than ever that the city take action to promote safe sex practices and expand access to rapid STI testing.
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As chair of the health committee and someone whose health care advocacy was formed during the heights of the HIV and AIDS movement.
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I am extremely proud of our efforts to not only restore $4, sorry, $5,300,000 for HIV and AIDS services providers in New York City and the FY 25 budget.
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But to baseline this funding to ensure our city's lasting commitment to caring for New York is living with HIV and AIDS.
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However, there are still work to be done.
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New HIV infections in New York City have plateaued after significant year over year decreases prior to the COVID-nineteen pandemic.
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As we reaffirm our commitment to compassionate and comprehensive care of people with living with HMV and AIDS who must also invest significantly in public education outreach and testing to continue to lower the rates of new infection.
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Thank you to my staff and to the health committee staff for their work, and I will now ask Council member Sanchez to give a brief statement.