[Congressional Record Volume 149, Number 169 (Thursday, November 20, 2003)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E2360]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




   INTRODUCTION OF THE WILSON-TOWNS HEPATITIS C EPIDEMIC CONTROL AND 
                             PREVENTION ACT

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                          HON. EDOLPHUS TOWNS

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                      Wednesday, November 19, 2003

  Mr. TOWNS. Mr. Speaker, I rise today to urge my colleagues to join me 
in support of the Wilson-Towns Hepatitis C Epidemic Control and 
Prevention Act, which I have introduced today with Representative 
Wilson of New Mexico.
  The virus which causes Hepatitis C was first identified in 1989. 
Currently, about 4 million people in the United States are believed to 
have the Hepatitis C virus. However, exact figures are not available 
because of the stealthy nature of this virus. Often called the ``silent 
epidemic,'' people infected with the Hepatitis C virus can be virtually 
symptom-free for decades before realizing that life-threatening damage 
has occurred. Unfortunately, to date, there is no vaccine to prevent 
this disease.
  When this virus first appeared, it was believed that only intravenous 
drug users were at risk. However, today we know that this disease is no 
respecter of persons. People from all walks of life have become victims 
of this virus. Our young people are particularly at risk because 
tattoos and body piercings have become the fastest growing mode of 
transmission for Hepatitis C. Many young people are unwittingly putting 
themselves at risk for contracting this disease. We must provide them 
with information which will enable them to make informed decisions 
about this risk.
  Mr. Speaker, this bipartisan effort, which is modeled after a bill 
introduced on the Senate side by Senators Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas 
and Edward Kennedy of Massachusetts, will direct the Secretary of 
Health and Human Services to establish, promote and support a 
comprehensive prevention, research and medical management referral 
program for persons suffering from the Hepatitis C virus. If passed, 
this bill will represent the first federal effort to provide a 
strategic approach to combat this disease.
  Mr. Speaker, this disease has affected almost 2 percent of the 
population of this country. We must take concrete action now before 
many more are needlessly subjected to this virus. Let us not miss this 
opportunity to avert this potential public health threat. I urge my 
colleagues to support this bill.

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