DeGette Moves to Eradicate Hepatitis C with Bipartisan Legislation

WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congresswoman Diana DeGette (CO-01), Congresswoman Mariannette Miller-Meeks (IA-01), Congressman Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (GA-04), and Congressman Don Bacon (NE-02) introduced the Cure Hepatitis C Act, which would implement a national test-and-treat program to help eliminate the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States.

"Thanks to the tireless efforts of biomedical researchers and innovators, hepatitis C is curable. Yet far too many people remain undiagnosed or unable to access treatment, and dozens die from the disease every day," said DeGette. "This is simply unacceptable. We have the tools to stop this epidemic and curb the human and financial costs of this disease going untreated. I am pleased to work with my colleagues on this legislation, which will have the greatest positive impact to public health of any bill passed this Congress."

"As a physician, I have seen what happens when a curable disease goes untreated simply because a patient couldn't access care," said Dr. Miller-Meeks. "Hepatitis C is beatable. We have the tools to eliminate it, and this bill puts them within reach of the Americans who need them most. This is a commonsense, fiscally responsible effort that will save lives and save taxpayer dollars. I am proud to lead it alongside my colleagues on both sides of the aisle."

"I am asking that we work together to raise awareness about hepatitis C - a silent killer - so that others at risk can get tested and treated," said Johnson.

"This legislation represents a rare opportunity to improve health outcomes while reducing long-term health care costs," said Tim Leshan, Chief External Relations and Advocacy Officer at Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health. "We commend Representatives Miller-Meeks, DeGette, Johnson and Bacon for their bipartisan leadership and commitment to ending hepatitis C in the United States. By investing in testing, treatment, and coordinated public health efforts today, Congress can prevent liver cancer, cirrhosis, and liver transplantation tomorrow while also strengthening our nation's public health infrastructure."

"It's vital to the health of the American people that Congress passes the Cure Hepatitis C Act," said Saul J. Karpen, MD, PhD, FAASLD, President of American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases. "Hepatitis C affects 4 million Americans, many of whom are not aware of their disease or the ready availability for a cure, leading to a gap for these Americans regarding their future health. This bill directly addresses these gaps with practical, rapid and effective approaches that will save lives and reduce costs. We are thankful that Representatives Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Diana DeGette (D-CO), Congressman Henry C. "Hank" Johnson (D-GA), and Congressman Don Bacon (R-NE) seized this opportunity to move this forward on behalf of patients living with hepatitis C."

Estimates show that between 2.4 million and 4 million Americans are infected with HCV, with between 69,000 to 100,000 new cases of infection added each year. The virus is often asymptomatic, leaving many of those infected unaware of their condition.

HCV is curable with oral medication, which makes this bill even more consequential. Using a treatment course of direct-acting antivirals, more than 95 percent of people with the infection are cured in approximately 8-12 weeks. If HCV is left untreated, it can lead to lifelong chronic health issues and even death.

Additionally, the Congressional Budget Office (CBO) projects(link is external) this policy could save the country more than $6 billion over the next decade.

Read the bill text here.(link is external)

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