The FY 2022 Budget Proposal from the Biden Administration calls for $8.7 billion for the CDC, which includes $19.5 million for the Infectious Diseases and Opioids Epidemic Program, and only $39.5 million for the Department of Viral Hepatitis.
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
May 28, 2021
MEDIA CONTACTS
Molly Hall: (202) 210-9955
Washington, D.C. – The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR), a national coalition working to eliminate viral hepatitis, today released the following statement from Director of Policy Daniel Raymond on the Biden Administration’s FY 2022 budget proposal, which fails to substantially increase federal funding to address rising viral hepatitis rates.
“Recent data from the U.S. Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) shows that viral hepatitis cases are increasing, and action is needed now to address the growing crisis. It is disappointing that the Biden Administration has failed to appropriately increase funding for the Division of Viral Hepatitis. The modest increase in funding for the Infectious Diseases and Opioid Epidemic Program is a positive advancement, but it is not enough to offset years of underfunding for viral hepatitis amid a worsening epidemic. By failing to provide adequate funding to combat viral hepatitis, patients will continue facing harmful barriers to care, and efforts to eliminate viral hepatitis will continue lagging behind global goals.”
“We urge Congress to fully fund the Division of Viral Hepatitis by allocating at least $134 million to improve viral hepatitis testing and treatment, and to strengthen the public health infrastructure. In addition, we urge the full funding of $120 million for the Infectious Diseases and Opioid Epidemic Program to fully prevent and respond to opioid-related infectious disease outbreaks, including hepatitis C.”
For more information about viral hepatitis and the need for a stronger public health response to rising hepatitis rates, please visit www.nvhr.org.
About the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR)
The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, an initiative of HEP, is a national coalition fighting for an equitable world free of viral hepatitis. NVHR seeks to eliminate viral hepatitis in the United States and improve the lives of those affected through advocacy, education, and support to national, state and local partners. For more information, visit www.nvhr.org