Congresswoman Nikema Williams Introduces Legislation to Increase Access to STI Testing

Resources / Press Share on Congresswoman Nikema Williams Introduces Legislation to Increase Access to STI Testing Jul 24, 2026 Expanding Access to Health Care Press New legislation to create a more equitable healthcare system Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) introduced the Equity in STI Testing Act, legislation that would make certain tests for sexually-transmitted diseases free of charge. Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) is co-leading the introduction of the Equity in STI Testing Act. The Equity in STI Testing Act will require coverage for STI testing without patient cost sharing under Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, CHIP, TRICARE, the Indian Health Service and for veterans. The Equity in STI Testing Act will make regular STI testing available for millions of Americans, without out of pocket costs. Please join us in supporting this common-sense legislation to protect reproductive and public health. Congresswoman Nikema Williams (GA-05) said : “For years, I worked on the front lines bringing sexual healthcare to those who needed it most. Far too often, those people were already excluded from our healthcare system. My Equity in STI Testing Act will help ensure that everyone has access to STI testing. This is one step toward creating a more just and equitable healthcare system, and I won’t stop fighting until there are no barriers to essential healthcare, including STI testing.” Congressman Ritchie Torres (NY-15) said: “In the Bronx, I’ve seen what happens when people can’t afford the care they need until it’s too late. STIs are common, treatable, and preventable, but only if people can get tested without worrying about the bill. The Equity in STI Testing Act is a simple, common-sense fix: no cost sharing for testing under Medicaid, Medicare Advantage, CHIP, TRICARE, the Indian Health Service, and for our veterans. Public health shouldn’t come with a price tag. I’m proud to co-lead this bill with Congresswoman Williams.” The Equity in STI Testing Act is endorsed by AID Atlanta, American Academy of Family Physicians, Empowerment Resource Center, Georgia AIDS Coalition, HIV + Hepatitis Policy Institute, HIV Medicine Association, Human Rights Campaign, National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors, & Status:Home The Georgia AIDS Coalition said: “The Georgia AIDS Coalition, established in 1989, strongly supports Congress passing the “Support Access to STI Testing Act”. Getting tested for STI’s is important for your health. STIs often have no symptoms, so you may not know you have one. But even without symptoms, infections can cause serious health problems and be unknowingly passed on to others. Untreated STIs can cause severe complications, including premature birth, stillbirth, or transmission of the infection to the baby during childbirth, and Pelvic Inflammatory Disease (PID), which may cause permanent damage and infertility. Untreated infections can also affect the heart and brain and increase susceptibility to HIV. This legislation will provide access to regular STI testing, saving funds in long-term treatment.” “Access to STI testing, including HIV testing, without patient cost sharing will significantly reduce barriers and increase the ability of people with Medicaid and other payers to access the sexual health tests they need to remain healthy and link them to appropriate care and treatment .” commented Carl Schmid, executive director of the HIV+Hepatitis Policy Institute . “We thank Reps. Nikema Williams and Ritchie Torres for their leadership and introducing the Equity in STI Testing Act.  At a time of rising HIV and skyrocketing STIs, now is the time for the Congress to quickly adopt it.” concluded Schmid. STI infection is prevalent, and impacts Americans of every walk of life. According to the CDC, more than 2.2 million people reported STIs in 2024. Across the country, twenty percent of Americans have an STI at any given time. These conditions are often asymptomatic, and may go unnoticed, but when not diagnosed and treated, some STIs can significantly impact patients’ long term wellbeing. Under diagnosis impacts patients’ ability to get the timely care they need, and may contribute to increased transmission of these conditions. Accessible testing is an important component of mitigating the public health impact of STIs. Click here to read the text of the Equity in STI Testing Act. Share on