House votes to require state strategic plan to end spread of HIV/AIDS

With nearly 300 new HIV infections identified in Minnesota each year, Rep. Keith Franke (R-St. Paul Park) believes the state needs to develop a coordinated approach to ending the spread of the disease.

He sponsors HF2047 that would have the Health and Human Services departments develop a comprehensive, statewide plan to address the problem using currently available resources by February 2018.

Rep. Keith Franke

It passed the House in a 128-0 vote Wednesday and now goes to the Senate, where the sponsor is Sen. Scott Dibble (DFL-Mpls).

“We have the knowledge and tools” to respond to the spread of HIV/AIDS, Franke said. “This will definitely help us to … be the best defense in the fight (against) this disease.”

The plan would determine what services, levels of care and testing would be needed to eliminate HIV in the state. The plan would identify strategies that can be used to reduce the number of new diagnoses by at least 75 percent and make sure that at least 90 percent of people with HIV know their status, are receiving treatment and are virally suppressed.

“This is a way to save money …. by going to the front end and trying to prevent people from getting infected and treating them right away,” said Rep. Tina Liebling (DFL-Rochester).

In addition, the report should recommend how the state can most effectively use existing funds and propose any new or enhanced interventions needed and what additional resources may be needed to meet the plan’s objectives.