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| Wilson Introduces Hepatitis C Legislation |
March 14, 2005 |
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Wilson Continues Work to Raise Awareness on Capitol Hill
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson today reintroduced bipartisan legislation to reduce the spread of Hepatitis C.
Wilson, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, is urging a comprehensive national strategy to combat the disease. Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-NY, is an original cosponsor of the effort, known as the Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act.
“Thirty-two thousand New Mexicans have Hepatitis C,” Wilson said. “We are working to raise awareness in the public and on Capitol Hill because Hepatitis C is often overlooked as a significant health concern.”
Reps. Wilson and Towns had also introduced the bill in the 108th Congress to authorize funding for treatment and prevention efforts. Wilson continues to work to gather support to move the legislation forward.
“We want to give states and health care professionals more tools to help prevent and control Hepatitis C,” Wilson said.
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) affects four million Americans and 32,000 in New Mexico. Hepatitis C is increasingly affecting younger adults who acquire the virus through tattoos and piercings. The virus is spread through blood-to-blood contact, and an estimated 82 percent of injection drug users are infected. It attacks and weakens the liver and that damage is accelerated greatly with the abuse of drugs or alcohol. New Mexico has the nation’s highest rate of deaths from chronic liver disease and cirrhosis.
The legislation directs the Secretary of Health and Human Services to develop a plan for prevention, control and management of HCV. It includes strategies for education, databases, early detection and research, and requires a biennial assessment of the plan. The bill also authorizes funding for a coordinator in every state, and creates a Liver Disease Research Advisory Board.
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