A HOUSE RESOLUTION URGING STATE AND LOCAL AGENCIES TO ADDRESS ISSUES RELATING TO THE hepatitis c VIRUS.

Whereas, Hepatitis C virus infection is the most common chronic bloodborne viral infection in the United States; and
Whereas, Hepatitis C virus infection is a life‑threatening disease that the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention conservatively estimate infects 3.9 million persons in the United States; and
Whereas, there were approximately 41,000 newly infected Hepatitis C virus patients in 1998 and approximately 25,000 newly infected patients in 2001; and
Whereas, Hepatitis C virus infections account for approximately 8,000 to 10,000 deaths each year in the United States because of Hepatitis C virus associated chronic liver disease; and
Whereas, Hepatitis C virus infection is three to four times more prevalent in the United States than HIV/AIDS, and approximately one‑quarter of all HIV‑infected persons are coinfected with Hepatitis C virus; and
Whereas, an estimated 69 percent of Hepatitis C virus‑infected persons are chronically infected; and
Whereas, approximately 75 percent to 85 percent of persons with acute infection from Hepatitis C virus will develop chronic infection; and
Whereas, infected individuals serve as a source of transmission to others; and
Whereas, very few of those infected with Hepatitis C virus are aware that they are infected, as an estimated 80 percent of persons have no signs or symptoms; and
Whereas, infected individuals who are unaware that they are infected are unlikely to take precautions to prevent the spread or exacerbation of their infection; and
Whereas, no vaccine is available for Hepatitis C virus, but treatments are available to slow the progression of the infection; and
Whereas, alcohol consumption is an important contributing factor in the progression of chronic liver disease among persons with Hepatitis C virus infections; and
Whereas, Hepatitis C virus is now the leading cause of liver disease, placing infected individuals at elevated risk for chronic liver disease, liver cancer, and other Hepatitis C virus‑related diseases, such as Type II diabetes, autoimmune diseases, and other life‑threatening conditions that can lead to liver failure; and
Whereas, data suggests that 15 percent to 20 percent of people with Hepatitis C virus will develop cirrhosis of the liver within five years of contracting the virus, and up to 25 percent may develop cirrhosis in 10 to 20 years; and
Whereas, Hepatitis C virus is the cause for one‑third of liver transplants, which cost approximately $280,000 each; and
Whereas, annually, the costs associated with liver transplants for Hepatitis C virus are nearly $300,000,000; and
Whereas, conservative estimates now place the cost of lost productivity and medical care arising from Hepatitis C virus infection in the United States to be in excess of $600,000,000 annually, and such cost will undoubtedly increase without education and prevention efforts; Now, therefore,
Be it resolved by the House of Representatives:
SECTION 1.  The House of Representatives urges local health departments and other State agencies and institutions to work collaboratively to address the national health crisis associated with Hepatitis C virus through the following measures:
(1)	Recommending implementation of prevention and education activities by State and local public health programs to counsel and screen persons at risk for Hepatitis C virus infection.
(2)	Recommending the monitoring and evaluation of the infection rate of Hepatitis C virus.
(3)	Recommending that publicly funded programs ensure that Hepatitis C virus‑related treatments are made available to persons of all ages.
(4)	Recommending implementation of outreach and community‑based programs to educate health care professionals concerning diagnosis, medical management, and prevention by relying upon information recently released by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention.
SECTION 2.  This resolution is effective upon adoption.