ANNAPOLIS, MD (February 16, 2016)– Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen testified Tuesday before the Maryland House of Delegates Committee on Health & Government Operations Committee urging the General assembly to provide support for House Bill 180, Public Health- HIV Testing During Pregnancy, legislation that would require a second HIV test to be conducted in the third trimester of pregnancy.
Currently, HIV testing is required for all pregnant women only in the first trimester. Under this proposed legislation, if a woman tests positive during the third trimester, she can be given antiretroviral medications that would virtually eliminate any chance of spreading HIV to the child.
