Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Prevention and Control Act of 2009

The Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Prevention and Control Act of 2009 has been introduced and we need your help to get it passed. Please show your individual or organization support of this important legislation by signing the letter below.

Please pass this email on to everyone you know. Let's show Congress that Viral Hepatitis effects every community in America!

Best regards,
Lorren Sandt, Chair

Click Here to add your organization's support.
http://www.surveymk.com/s.aspx?sm=3gVmq%2bS1YbmHLKxbypJkrA%3d%3d

Click Here to add your support as an individual.
http://www.surveymk.com/s/5VHQL65

To read HR 3974 Click Here.
http://www.nvhr.org/pdf/HR3479.pdf

Dear Representative,

The undersigned organizations (individuals) have declared their support for HR 3974, the Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act of 2009, and urge you to become a co-sponsor of this important bi-partisan public health legislation. HR 3974 will increase awareness and prevention of diseases that are already afflicting more than 5 million Americans - more than half of whom do not know they are infected - and will help to avoid tens of billions of dollars in unnecessary health care costs in the coming decade. The legislationamends the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health and Human Services to establish, promote, and support a comprehensive prevention, education, research, and medical management referral program for viral hepatitis infection that will lead to a marked reduction in the disease burden associated with chronic viral hepatitis and liver cancer.

Congressman Mike Honda (D-CA) and Congressman Charles Dent (R-PA) introduced HR 3974 on October 29, 2009. Representatives William Cassidy (R-LA), Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Anh "Joseph" Cao (R-LA), David Wu (D-OR), Todd Platts (R-PA), Donna M. Christiansen (D-VI), Barbara Lee (D-CA), Bobby Rush (D-IL), George Butterfield (D-NC), and Judy Chu (D-CA) are co-sponsors.

Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are highly infectious blood-borne viruses that cause liver disease, liver cancer, and premature death. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the leading causes of primary liver cancer, one of the most deadly cancers, with five-year survival rates of only 11 percent. While the incidence of many cancers is declining, rates of liver cancer are increasing. Chronic hepatitis B virus (HBV) is treatable when detected early and properly managed. In about 50 percent of the cases, chronic hepatitis C virus (HCV) can be cured.

Over the next 10 years, Medicare and private insurance costs for individuals with chronic HCV, which disproportionately affects the baby-boomer generation, will more than double to at least $85 billion annually. As the population ages and the disease progresses, government payers will bear the majority of the financial impact of chronic HCV infection. The numbers for chronic hepatitis B are also frightening; approximately 25 percent of persons with chronic HBV infection die prematurely from cirrhosis or liver cancer. Anestimated 1,000- 5,000 persons die each year inthe U.S. from HBV-related liver cancer. From 2010 to 2030, the number of liver cancer cases in the U.S. is expected to rise 59 percent, with the highest increases expected among Hispanics and Asian Pacific Islanders. Early intervention can improve the outcome for those living with chronic viral hepatitis and HR 3974 will help to assure that early intervention occurs.

We urge you to make liver cancer, chronic hepatitis B, and chronic hepatitis C, a leading health priority. We look forward to your co-sponsorship of the Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act of 2009.

Sincerely,
National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable
Rohnert Park, CA 94928