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Rep
Honda Introduces Bi-Partisan Bill to
End Hepatitis Epidemic in America
Washington
D.C. -- October 30, 2009 -- Congressman Michael
Honda (D-CA), chairman of the Congressional Asian
Pacific American Caucus, introduced the bi-partisan
Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention
Act of 2009, to address a national Hepatitis B
and Hepatitis C epidemic impacting America.
The
bill incorporates the monitoring, testing and
research and education provisions contained in
the Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C bills from the
110th Congress. Rep. Honda's bi-partisan legislation
was drafted in strong partnership with Congressmen
Charles Dent (R-PA), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), William
Cassidy (R-LA), David Wu (D-OR) and Anh "Joseph"
Cao (R-LA). They are joined as original co-sponsors
by Congressman Todd Platts (D-PA), Delegate Donna
M. Christensen (D-VI), Congresswoman Barbara Lee
(D-CA), and Congressman Bobby Rush (D-IL).
Rep.
Honda, chairman of the Congressional Asian Pacific
American Caucus, said, "Chronic Hepatitis
B and C are silent killers, poised to strike millions
of Americans and it is time for Congress to act
in a concerted effort to educate particularly
vulnerable communities as well as the general
public. For example, due to a number of factors,
Asian American and Pacific Islanders [AAPI] have
a much higher prevalence rate of hepatitis B and
develop liver cancer at a much higher rate than
other ethnic groups. However, few in the AAPI
community are aware of their risk factors or about
how to manage or treat the disease. This bipartisan
bill judiciously invests federal money in a balanced,
comprehensive approach to viral hepatitis education,
prevention, treatment, and management and I look
forward to working to pass this legislation."
The
Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention
Act of 2009 brings together the common concerns
of the diverse viral hepatitis community to create
a surveillance system to track chronic Hepatitis
B and C infections; support activities to promote
early detection and education, particularly in
vulnerable populations, and incorporate them into
existing clinical programs at the state, federal,
and tribal level; and conduct research on improved
treatments and vaccines; and meet other needs
of the Hepatitis community as identified by advocacy
groups.
Rep.
Dent: "Hepatitis B and C are treatable diseases
when detected early and properly managed. Without
detection and intervention, this silent disease
develops into chronic viral hepatitis which is
costly at best and deadly at worst. This bill
makes a wise investment by focusing federal efforts
to heighten awareness, promote prevention, enhance
coordination, and increase research. I am proud
to join this effort which demonstrates Congress's
commitment to the elimination of chronic viral
hepatitis."
Rep.
Towns: "Viral hepatitis is a critical health
issue that needs the nation's attention. I am
deeply committed to raising awareness about viral
hepatitis which disproportionately infects underserved
and underrepresented minorities, and often goes
undetected. Therefore, I am proud to support this
legislation that will be helpful in the ongoing
effort to treat and prevent this condition."
Rep.
Wu: "This bill establishes a comprehensive,
coordinated strategy for hepatitis prevention,
education, research, and medical management programs
by federal agencies in order to bring the full
horse-power of the government to bear on this
important public health issue. Hepatitis infections
disproportionately affect Asians and Pacific Islanders,
African Americans, and Hispanic populations in
the United States. For example, although they
represent only four percent of the U.S. population,
Asian and Pacific Islanders account for over half
of the 1.4 million chronic hepatitis B cases.
It is vital that minority populations received
the care they need in an appropriate and effective
manner, and this legislation will help make sure
that happens."
Rep.
Cao: "Unfortunately, Chronic Viral Hepatitis
disproportionately affects certain populations,
such as lower income, Asian-Pacific, and African
American populations. As a Vietnamese-American
and the representative of Orleans and Jefferson
Parishes, I have seen the faces and know the names
behind these statistics of high incidence and
mortality rates in the demographics I represent,
especially given limited access to and availability
of resources. Fortunately, Chronic Viral Hepatitis
is treatable when detected early and properly
managed, and I am glad this bill is comprehensive
in its approach to educating about, detecting,
and treating Chronic Viral Hepatitis."
Rep.
Cassidy: "The lack of awareness for Hepatitis
B and C leads to under diagnosis. Those infected
risk liver failure which leads to liver transplant
or death. As a hepatologist, I have witnessed
firsthand the consequences hepatitis can inflict
on a patient's health, their families and the
nation's health care budget."
About
Chronic Viral Hepatitis
Hepatitis
B and hepatitis C are highly contagious blood
borne viruses that cause liver disease, liver
cancer, and premature death. Chronic hepatitis
B is treatable when detected early and properly
managed. In about 50% of the cases, chronic hepatitis
C can be cured.
It
is estimated that 2,000,000,000 [2 billion] people
worldwide have been infected with the hepatitis
B virus, 400 million chronically. Approximately
170 million people worldwide are chronically infected
with the hepatitis C virus. An estimated 5.3 million
people living in the United States are infected
with either hepatitis B or hepatitis C; tragically
more than half are unaware of their status.
About
the Bill
The
Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control Act would
amend the Public Health Service Act to establish,
promote, and support a comprehensive prevention,
research, and medical management referral program
for chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis
C virus infection. The bill, with a price tag
of [$]90 million in 2011 will increase the ability
of the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
(CDC) to support state health departments in their
prevention, immunization and surveillance efforts.
The CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis has been
underfunded in comparison with other CDC programs
within the National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral
Hepatitis, STD, and TB Prevention. The following
numbers show the dramatic difference in funding
levels.
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HIV:
$297 million to state and local health departments
for prevention programs; $55.6 million to
state and local health departments for surveillance;
$692 million total (FY'09). |
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STD:
$115 million to state and local health departments
for Comprehensive STD Prevention Systems;
$152.3 million total (FY'09). |
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TB:
$85 million to state and local health departments
for Prevention and Control; $7.6 million to
state and local health departments for Laboratories;
$143.8 million total (FY'09). |
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Hepatitis:
$5 million to state and local health departments;
$18.3 million total (FY '09). |
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"We
have a wave of chronic liver disease that will crash
like a tsunami on the U.S. healthcare system if we do
not address this problem now," said Lorren Sandt,
Chair of the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable. "This
important legislation will help identify the people
who are chronically infected and get them into treatment,
which can save millions in future healthcare costs."
