Hepatitis C

PI ACTION ALERT:
Urge Congress to Increase Hepatitis C Funding!

May 23, 2007

It is estimated that there are more than 6 million Americans living with chronic hepatitis C and/or hepatitis B. Most Americans living with hepatitis C are unaware of their infection. In addition, an estimated 225,000 people with hepatitis C are co-infected with HIV.

Despite these staggering statistics, federal funding for viral hepatitis programs has not increased in years. The Hepatitis C Appropriations Partnership, a coalition of hepatitis advocates around the country, is asking for an $11 million increase to help states with their education and testing programs. This small increase can make a huge difference in battling the hepatitis C epidemic in this country.

This month is "National Hepatitis Awareness Month". The purpose of this month is to educate the public about viral hepatitis and to encourage testing. This is a great opportunity to ask Congress to take leadership on this issue. Please take a few minutes this month and urge your elected representatives to support this badly needed increase!

How you can help:
Call or email your U.S. Representative and two U.S. Senators by the end of May. If you call, ask to speak to the staffperson who handles health care issues. Whether you speak to this person live or leave a message, tell them:

"My name is _________ and I live in city/state. This month is National Hepatitis Awareness Month and I urge Representative/Senator_________ to take leadership by supporting an $11 million increase for hepatitis C programs in the Fiscal Year 2008 appropriations bill. This increase will help states with badly needed education and testing programs."

You can call your Representative toll-free at 1-800-614-2803. You will get the Capitol switchboard. Ask to be connected to your Representative/Senator's office. Thank you for taking the time to make a difference!