Bipartisan Hepatitis C Legislation Reintroduced in Both Houses of Congress

[GrandOak]

Bipartisan Hepatitis C Legislation Reintroduced in Both Houses of Congress
May 30 2007, 3:00 AM EST

MARKETWIRE

May 30, 2007 WASHINGTON, DC MARKET WIRE

The Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act [SB-1445, HR-2552] has been reintroduced into both Houses of the 110th Congress by Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) and Representative Edolphus Towns (D-NY). The Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act mandates a comprehensive federal hepatitis C program to include counseling and testing, early detection, surveillance, education, training, and research. Originally introduced but not voted upon in 2003, the reintroduction of The Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act has been a bipartisan effort. The original cosponsors of the legislation are Senator Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) and Representative Heather Wilson (R-NM).

Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne viral infection in the United States. An estimated 5 million Americans are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), the most common cause of chronic liver disease and adult liver transplantation in the U.S. Approximately 30,000 new HCV cases are reported each year. Hepatitis C currently kills an estimated 15,000 Americans annually, a number that is expected to triple by 2010 according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Increased testing and treatment will curb this dire prediction.

The Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program (HCCAP), a national hepatitis C nonprofit organization, lauds the reintroduction stating that this legislation provides the necessary foundation for an effective federal response to the current hepatitis C crisis. HCCAP Program Director Lorren Sandt commented, "We are at a critical juncture in the hepatitis C epidemic. The hardest hit population is in the prime of their lives. It is essential to diagnose those infected with HCV as soon as possible to change the long-term effects of this disease on individuals and society. HCCAP congratulates and thanks the sponsors and cosponsors of this legislation for taking the lead to turn the tide on the hepatitis C crisis."

The timing of the reintroduction of The Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act coincides with Hepatitis Awareness Month 2007. Events have been conducted across the United States throughout the month of May including Congressional briefings and awareness days in state capitals to inform public officials and raise awareness of the magnitude and severity of the hepatitis C crisis. The World Gastroenterology Organization (WGO) spearheaded the global observance of World Digestive Health Day, Focus: Viral Hepatitis on May 29th. Events were hosted throughout the world to call attention to plight of the estimated 600 million people chronically infected with hepatitis B and hepatitis C.

About Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program

The Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program (HCCAP) is a division of the national nonprofit public charity, the Caring Ambassadors Program, Inc. HCCAP is committed to improving the health and longevity of those living with chronic hepatitis C through information, awareness, and public advocacy.

Contact:
Lorren Sandt
503-632-9032
Contact via http://www.marketwire.com/mw/emailprcntct?id=A3959BD8DFE41A5D


SOURCE: Hepatitis C Caring Ambassadors Program

[sunspot]

I keep my Washington guys addresses handy as I alreasy am writeing to them about pro-gun bills. A Hep letter might surprise them but what the heck, I'll do it.

[Pdilly]

Thanks so much for the info.  

[GrandOak]

Contacting Representative on H.R. 2552:

http://www.house.gov/house/MemberWWW_by_State.shtml

House record of H.R.2552:

http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d110:23:./temp/~bdd5vr::|/bss/d110query.html|

======================================================

Contacting Senator on S.1445:

http://www.senate.gov/pagelayout/senators/f_two_sections_with_teasers/states.htm

Senate record of S.1445:

(http://thomas.loc.gov/cgi-bin/bdquery/D?d110:35:./temp/~bdoIa0::|/bss/d110query.html|

[GrandOak]

I'm glad to be of assistance.  I figure if we make enough noise, perhaps we can avoid the bills from getting killed the way they were in 2003.

I'd even recommend contacting the President, and since we appear to be gearing up for next year's elections already, the chairs of the political parties.

Heck, given the co-infection rates now being seen with HIV (since they can discern them independently now), we may be able to get them on the band wagon and turn this into a *real* issue for those running next year!!

[EspritLibre1]

Thanks for this GrandOak and thanks to both of you in motivating us!!! You said it all, now let's everyone pick up the phone tomorrow and demand that your elected representative support this bill...

Libby