Smith Introduces the Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act
WASHINGTON, D.C.– Today, Senator Gordon Smith (R-OR) joined Senator Edward Kennedy (D-MA) to introduce the Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act, legislation designed to decrease the rate at which Americans infected with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV).
Currently, 3 million Americans are chronically affected with HCV, a disease with no vaccine and no cure. Thirty-five thousand Americans are infected with the disease each year, and HCV is the 7th leading cause of death in the U.S., killing 10 thousand Americans annually.
"Too few at-risk Americans know the necessary facts about Hepatitis," Smith said. "It's essential that effective programs are in place to increase understanding of how to avoid infection and better access treatment."
The act includes a provision establishing a federal plan for the prevention, control and medical management of HCV. Specifically, the federal plan will include voluntary testing, counseling programs, Hepatitis C Coordinators assigned at the state, local and tribal levels, and the creation of a HCV surveillance database used to study the disease epidemiology.
"This bill is a major step in increasing financial and infrastructure support for the delivery of Hepatitis C prevention education and patient care services," said Lorren Sandt, president of the National Hepatitis C Advocacy Council. "Chronic Hepatitis C is completely preventable if we have sound public health."
