Hank urges colleagues to support Viral Hepatitis Testing Act

Congressman sends letter to House colleagues to raise awareness of ‘silent epidemic’

 WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Representative Hank Johnson (GA-04) this week sent a letter to all 434 of his House colleagues, urging their support for the bipartisan H.R. 3381, the Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2011.

The Act requires the Secretary of Health and Human Services (HHS) to expand awareness and testing campaigns for the hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to revise the guidelines it uses to screen for HCV.

“I am asking that we work together to raise awareness about HCV so that others at risk can get tested and treated,” said Rep. Johnson in the letter. “By supporting H.R. 3381, the Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2011, we can save lives and help others avoid the needless suffering and debilitating medical costs associated with treating this disease.”

H.R. 3381 is sponsored by Reps. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Mike Honda (D-CA).

In 2009, Rep. Johnson disclosed that he had suffered from hepatitis C since 1998. After completing successful treatments, Rep. Johnson is free of the disease. The letter comes ahead of World Hepatitis Day, recognized every year on July 28. Rep. Johnson participated in the White House commemoration in 2011.

To read the letter, click HERE.

###