 Sign-on Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Laboraddressing funding for hepatitis C (HCV)  |
| Sign-on Letter to House Appropriations Subcommittee on Labor addressing funding for hepatitis C (HCV) |
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 Sign-on Letter to Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Laboraddressing funding for hepatitis C (HCV) | ||
May 20, 2005 The Honorable Arlen Specter The Honorable Tom Harkin Dear Chairman Specter and Ranking Member Harkin: On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we are writing to urge you to include increased funding for federal programs to address the viral hepatitis C (HCV) epidemic in the FY2006 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations legislation. The FY2006 appropriations process represents an opportunity for Congress to provide leadership in mounting an effective campaign against this, the number one blood-borne viral infection in the country. We respectfully request increased federal resources for hepatitis C prevention, medical management, treatment and research. An estimated four million Americans have been infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) making it the most common, chronic, blood-borne disease in the United States. At least 2.7 million people in the U.S. are chronically infected with HCV. The most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 25,000 to 30,000 new cases of HCV occur annually. Many people with chronic hepatitis C are unaware that they are infected because HCV is often asymptomatic until advanced liver damage develops. Chronic liver disease is among the top ten killers of Americans 25 years of age and older. Hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S., accounting for 40-60% of all cases. HCV is also the leading indication for adult liver transplantation in the U.S. Further, CDC estimates at least 25% of people living with HIV/AIDS are also infected with HCV. HIV accelerates HCV disease progression, and HIV/HCV co-infected persons have twice the risk of cirrhosis and a six-fold increased risk of liver failure compared to people with HCV alone. HCV-related liver disease is now the leading cause of death among people with HIV/AIDS. The FY2006 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriation legislation represents an opportunity for Congress to provide critical funding to appropriately address the urgent hepatitis C epidemic facing our nation. As you craft the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations legislation for FY2006, please consider the following critical funding needs of viral hepatitis programs:
A strong public health response is needed to meet the challenges of this infectious disease impacting four million Americans. We thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our recommendations. Please contact Laura Hanen at the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors at 202.434.8091 if you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, AIDS Action Council, Washington, DC |
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May 20, 2005 The Honorable Ralph Regula The Honorable David Obey Dear Chairman Regula and Ranking Member Obey: On behalf of the undersigned organizations, we are writing to urge you to include increased funding for federal programs to address the viral hepatitis C (HCV) epidemic in the FY2006 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriations legislation. The FY2006 appropriations process represents an opportunity for Congress to provide leadership in mounting an effective campaign against this, the number one blood-borne viral infection in the country. We respectfully request increased federal resources for hepatitis C prevention, medical management, treatment and research. An estimated four million Americans have been infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV) making it the most common, chronic, blood-borne disease in the United States. At least 2.7 million people in the U.S. are chronically infected with HCV. The most recent data available from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) indicate that 25,000 to 30,000 new cases of HCV occur annually. Many people with chronic hepatitis C are unaware that they are infected because HCV is often asymptomatic until advanced liver damage develops. Chronic liver disease is among the top ten killers of Americans 25 years of age and older. Hepatitis C is the most common cause of chronic liver disease in the U.S., accounting for 40-60% of all cases. HCV is also the leading indication for adult liver transplantation in the U.S. Further, CDC estimates at least 25% of people living with HIV/AIDS are also infected with HCV. HIV accelerates HCV disease progression, and HIV/HCV co-infected persons have twice the risk of cirrhosis and a six-fold increased risk of liver failure compared to people with HCV alone. HCV-related liver disease is now the leading cause of death among people with HIV/AIDS. The FY2006 Labor, HHS and Education Appropriation legislation represents an opportunity for Congress to provide critical funding to appropriately address the urgent hepatitis C epidemic facing our nation. As you craft the Labor, HHS, and Education Appropriations legislation for FY2006, please consider the following critical funding needs of viral hepatitis programs:
A strong public health response is needed to meet the challenges of this infectious disease impacting four million Americans. We thank you for your thoughtful consideration of our recommendations. Please contact Laura Hanen at the National Alliance of State and Territorial AIDS Directors at 202.434.8091 if you have any questions or need additional information. Sincerely, AIDS Action Council, Washington, DC |
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