Aiming to reduce the number of hepatitis B victims, Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) recently introduced a bill on Oct. 23, 2007 that could boost immunization rates against the disease and increase funding for hepatitis B research.

“Sadly, we’re talking about a disease that is preventable, and treatable if it’s detected in its early stages,” said Honda, who represents the congressional district with the country’s largest Asian-American population. “This bill calls for using tools that are already at our disposal to prevent human suffering.”

The bi-partisan bill, National Hepatitis B Act (H.R. 3994), would require the development of a national plan for the prevention, control and medical management of hepatitis B; it would help fund immunization, counseling and education of high risk populations; and it would increase research funding for best practices for prevention, improved treatment, and more effective screening methods.

“Without appropriate screening and management of the disease, one in four Hepatitis B carriers dies from liver cancer or liver disease,” Congressman Dent said. “Early detection also reduces the likelihood that the virus will be unknowingly transmitted to others.”

The bill is also co-sponsored by Edolphus Towns (D-NY), Adam Schiff (D-CA), Michael McNulty (D-NY), and Jim Gerlach (R-PA).

To view the complete National Hepatitis B Bill, visit our website @ www.hepb.org/advocacy.