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Act Now to Impact Hepatitis C

September 02, 2010 Subject: Please support the Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act S521 - HR 1290 I am deeply concerned about the hepatitis C crisis in our country. Hepatitis C is a life-threatening disease that has rapidly become the most common blood-borne viral infection in the United States. Between 3 to 5 million Americans are currently infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and an estimated 30,000 new cases are diagnosed each year. The National Institutes of Health 2002 Consensus Report clearly stated that hepatitis C is an epidemic without financial resources. Hepatitis C is a grave threat to all Americans in terms of our public health and our collective future. No other disease is expected to increase its burden as rapidly as hepatitis C will in the coming decade. I implore you to support passage of the Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act, S521, introduced March 3, 2005 by, Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison and Edward Kennedy, John Cornyn, and Charles Schumer and HR 1290, introduced in the House of Representatives, March 14, 2005 by, Mrs. Heather Wilson of New Mexico, Mr. Edolphus Towns, Mr. Neil Abercrombie, Mr. Gregory Meeks of New York, Mr. Lloyd Doggett, Mr. Michael McNutly, Mr. Donald Payne, Mr. James McGovern, Ms. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, Mr. Major Owens, and Mr. Howard Berman. This legislation will amend the Public Health Service Act and direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, promote, and support a comprehensive prevention, research, and treatment referral programs for hepatitis C virus infection. The Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act addresses critical HCV prevention and control needs in the community including: Education & Training - to heighten awareness and enhance knowledge and understanding of hepatitis C. Medical Management - to diagnose persons with HCV and refer them for quality health care. Research Network - to conduct HCV research on disease progression, epidemiology, prevention, and treatment. Surveillance - to determine accurate estimates of the incidence, prevalence, and disease burden of HCV. Disease Control & Prevention - to promote and support state and local HCV counseling, pharmaceutical treatment, testing, and prevention programs. Immunization - to support state and local programs to vaccinate HCV infected persons, or at risk of infection, against hepatitis A and B. Hepatitis C Coordinators - to work in each state and ensure the implementation of HCV prevention and control in their respective state. Underserved and Disproportionately Affected Populations Activities - to promote expanded support for persons with limited access to health education, testing, and health care services and groups that may be disproportionately affected by HCV. I urge you to make hepatitis C your leading health priority and look forward to your support of the Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act, S.521/H.R.1290 introduced this session. We will add your signature from the information you provide.		First Name* Last Name* Email* Street* Street 2 City* State/Province* Select a state Alabama Alaska American Samoa Arizona Arkansas California Colorado Connecticut Delaware D.C. Florida Georgia Guam Hawaii Idaho Illinois Indiana Iowa Kansas Kentucky Louisiana Maine Maryland Massachusetts Michigan Minnesota Mississippi Missouri Montana Nebraska Nevada New Hampshire New Jersey New Mexico New York North Carolina North Dakota Northern Mariana Islands Ohio Oklahoma Oregon Pennsylvania Puerto Rico Rhode Island South Carolina South Dakota Tennessee Texas Utah Vermont Virgin Islands Virginia Washington West Virginia Wisconsin Wyoming Armed Forces (the) Americas Armed Forces Europe Armed Forces Pacific Alberta British Columbia Manitoba Newfoundland New Brunswick Nova Scotia Northwest Territories Nunavut Ontario Prince Edward Island Quebec Saskatchewan Yukon Territory Other Zip/Postal Code* Send an Email