The Hepatitis B Foundation’s advocacy efforts to raise hepatitis B as a national health priority has successfully resulted in the House Appropriations Committee’s recent approval of a $1 million budget increase in 2008 for the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) Division of Viral Hepatitis. The Foundation worked closely with Congressman Mike Honda to help educate lawmakers about the importance of making hepatitis B a national health priority since it chronically affects up to 2 million Americans. Hepatitis B is a leading cause of liver cancer, which is the fastest growing cancer in the U.S. If approved, these funds will be used to expand hepatitis B screening, prevention and treatment for at-risk and affected individuals.

To read Congressman Honda’s statement in Congress, visit our website @ www.hepb.org/advocacy/legislative.htm