HEP Executive Director Michael Ninburg Testifies at Hearing

Washington, DC - June 17, 2010 - The Hepatitis Education Project applauds Chairman Ed Towns (D-N.Y.) and Ranking Member Darrell Issa (R-Calif.) for holding a hearing this morning before the full House Oversight & Government Reform Committee to explore bipartisan solutions to fighting the viral hepatitis epidemic, including HR 3974, "The Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act."

The Committee heard testimony from leading Members of Congress, the Administration, and industry experts and advocates -- including Michael Ninburg, Executive Director of the Hepatitis Education Project -- who all agreed that more federal funding for viral hepatitis screening and early intervention is essential to bringing a disease afflicting more than 5 million Americans under control. Otherwise, experts warned of an explosion of new cases and runaway health care costs that could overwhelm the system within the next 15 years.

An estimated 5.3 million Americans have been infected with chronic viral hepatitis B or C - and with most unaware of their infection, millions are at risk of developing life-threatening complications, especially African Americans and Asian Americans. Without detection and prompt treatment, chronic viral hepatitis leads to liver cancer, cirrhosis, or liver failure. Without adequate federal funding, the research firm Milliman estimates that public and private payers' cost of treating chronic viral hepatitis C alone will more than triple by 2024 to $85 billion annually. Medicare and Medicaid would absorb a disproportionate share of these added costs.

HR 3974 is sponsored by Representatives Mike Honda (D-Calif.), Charles Dent (R-Pa.) and 51other House Members and would help turn the tide. The Honda-Dent legislation would increase the ability of the CDC to support state health departments in their prevention, immunization and surveillance, and referral to care efforts. Much of the Honda-Dent legislation tracks with the IOM's recommendations, which were released in January 2010.