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.

“HIV testing in the third trimester is appropriate, life-saving, and cost effective across Maryland,” said Baltimore City Health Commissioner Dr. Leana Wen. “I urge the Committee to adopt HB180 to protect our most vulnerable children and to support our efforts to eliminate all new HIV infections.”

According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, there were 1,735 babies born to HIV positive mothers in Maryland from 2005 to 2014. 35 of these babies contracted HIV as a result.

Third trimester testing in areas of high HIV prevalence is recommended by the CDC and by the American Congress of Obstetricians and Gynecologists (ACOG), the leading professional society for OB-GYNs.

Nationally, Maryland ranks third in HIV prevalence among adults and second in HIV prevalence among women.