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News & HighlightsNVHR UpdatesUpdate Spring 2009
Dear NVHR Members: I am happy to send you the attached document on health care reform that is the product of the NVHR Health Care Reform Subcommittee, including NVHR members, steering committee members, and partners representing the hepatitis B and C communities. The document is being circulated to various committees involved with health care reform at the federal level in response to the urgent need to insert a dialogue about chronic viral hepatitis into the current health care reform discussion. Further, the document provides the foundation for future advocacy work. Please feel free to use this document in your local endeavors. A complimentary prevention principles document is under development and will be disseminated at later date. Please forgive any cross-postings in our attempt at wide dissemination of this document. Attachment: Chronic Viral Hepatitis and Health Care Reform Acrobat Reader format (PDF) Martha Saly
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable Observes World Hepatitis Day and Calls for Increased Federal Action Greater Investments in Public Health a Must WASHINGTON, D.C. (May 19, 2009) – Today, on the second annual World Hepatitis Day, more than 200 viral hepatitis groups around the world have planned observances to raise global awareness, and calling for international and national support for improvements in prevention, diagnosis, treatment and support for people living with chronic viral hepatitis B and C. In the United States, where the need for awareness is especially urgent, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) today called on the federal government to take action to improve its response to the hepatitis B and C epidemics in the United States. Viral hepatitis afflicts more than five million Americans, making an undeniable case for investment in screening and treatment today to prevent a catastrophe tomorrow. Chronic viral hepatitis is the leading cause of primary liver cancer, which is one of the fastest growing cancers in the U.S. and the 8th leading cause of cancer death in Caucasians and the 3rd leading cause of cancer deaths in Asian Americans. An actuarial analysis released yesterday found that 78% of Americans with hepatitis C do not know they carry the virus. The cost of advanced liver disease in HCV-infected patients will skyrocket 250 percent from today, reaching $85 billion in the next two decades without changes in how these patients are diagnosed and treated. (The report is available at: http://www.milliman.com/expertise/healthcare/publications/rr/consequences-hepatits-c-virus-RR05-15-09.php) This shocking finding highlights the need for increased governmental leadership to protect the health of Americans. Left unchecked, the astronomical cost of care for end stage liver disease in our aging population will threaten President Obama’s health-care reform plans. While the situation is serious, Congress and the Administration can take concrete steps to avert a worst-case scenario. But action is needed urgently. There are two things the federal government can do immediately to address the situation. First, increase funds for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, from its current level of $18.3 million to $50 million annually. CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis is funded at $18,316,000 for FY 2009, which represents approximately 2% of the budget of the CDC’s National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, Sexually Transmitted Diseases, and TB Prevention. States receive an average of $90,000 to support adult viral hepatitis prevention. This provides for little more than one staff position for an entire state, and no services. Second, appoint a senior member of the staff of the Secretary of Health and Human Services to focus on coordination of viral hepatitis efforts across federal agencies. This would include ensuring screening programs are available nationwide and care and support programs are available for persons living with chronic viral hepatitis. This position would also serve as a resource to ensure viral hepatitis needs are adequately included in the details of the Administration’s health care reform package. Currently, there is no federally funded hepatitis awareness campaign, hepatitis B or C counseling and testing program, chronic hepatitis surveillance system, adult hepatitis A and B vaccination program, linkage to care system for persons infected with hepatitis B or C, or treatment program for un/underinsured Americans. “Increased funding through the CDC and other federal health agencies can ease the economic and health-related burdens of viral hepatitis,” said Chris Taylor, chairman of the NVHR. “Individuals that receive screening for viral hepatitis can be medically evaluated and counseled or treated to reduce the onset of the most severe complications of the disease, and can prevent transmitting infection to others.” About NVHR The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (www.nvhr.org) is a coalition of public, private, and voluntary organizations dedicated to reducing the incidence of infection, morbidity, and mortality from viral hepatitis in the United States
The report, Consequences of Hepatitis C Virus (HCV): A Baby Boomer Epidemic of Liver Disease, is available: [http://www.milliman.com/expertise/healthcare/publications/rr/consequences-hepatits-c-virus-RR05-15-09.php] Media Contact:
HEPATITIS B CONGRESSIONAL BRIEFING 2009 Tuesday May 19, 2009 HOSTS: Congressmen Mike Honda (CA-D) and Charles Dent (PA-R) HOSTS/MODERATORS
2009 Chronic Viral Hepatitis Congressional Briefing in (Word) and (PDF) format
2009 World Hepatitis Day Planning After a successful 2008 World Hepatitis Day, observed on May 19, it is time to begin planning for the 2009 observance in the United States. To ensure continued growth and maximum impact for 2009, a U.S. World Hepatitis Day planning committee is being formed. The purpose of the committee will be to plan a coordinated national campaign to build upon the momentum from the 2008 observance.
Letter to the Obama Administration The Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnership (HCAP) has drafted the attached cover letter and viral hepatitis recommendations for the first 100 days of the Obama administration. Please consider signing your organization on to the letter, and forward to other organizations who might be interested. Both documents will be combined once we have organizations signed on. To sign on, please email Ryan Clary with you organizations name by Monday, December 8. Click here to review the letter
NVHR April 2009 Newsletter |
  
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