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| Wilson-Towns Legislation Improves Awareness of Hepatitis C |
May 10, 2006 |
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Highlights National Hepatitis Initiative at US Capitol Strategy Announcement
Washington, DC – Congresswoman Heather Wilson, a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, today joined a news conference on the steps of the U.S. Capitol to highlight a national health strategy to defeat viral Hepatitis.
Support for the Wilson-Towns legislation (H.R. 1290) focused on Hepatitis C is growing as awareness increases. The bipartisan bill, introduced by Wilson and Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-NY) in March 2005, now has 38 cosponsors. Hepatitis C is a liver disease that affects 4 million Americans and 32,000 New Mexicans.
“Viral Hepatitis is often overlooked as a significant health concern,” Wilson said. “We are working to change that on Capitol Hill.”
The Wilson-Towns bill, known as the Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and Prevention Act, would initiate a comprehensive national strategy to combat the disease.
Wilson also said she supports the bipartisan Hepatitis B Act (H.R. 4550) by Reps. Charlie Dent (R-PA) and Michael Honda (D-CA).
“Advancements in our knowledge of any one of these liver diseases will help the medical strategy for all of them,” Wilson said. “We want to give states and health care professionals more tools to help prevent and control viral Hepatitis.”
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) 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. The disease 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. That would include strategies for education, databases, early detection and research, and a biennial assessment of the plan. The bill authorizes funding for a coordinator in every state, and creates a Liver Disease Research Advisory Board.
Reps. Wilson and Towns initially introduced a similar bill in the 108th Congress (2003-04) to authorize funding for treatment and prevention. Wilson continues to work to gather support to move the legislation forward and improve awareness.
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