[Congressional Record Volume 160, Number 121 (Wednesday, July 30, 2014)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E1273]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 RAISING AWARENESS OF HEPATITIS C AND FORGING A PATH TO ITS ERADICATION

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                         HON. CHARLES B. RANGEL

                              of new york

                    in the house of representatives

                        Wednesday, July 30, 2014

  Mr. RANGEL. Mr. Speaker, today I rise to recognize The Second Annual 
African American Hepatitis C Awareness Action Day which was held on 
Friday, July 25, 2014. Hepatitis C is a deadly and contagious viral 
disease that attacks the liver and kills thousands of Americans each 
year. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention 
(CDC), an estimated 3.2 million people in the United States have 
chronic Hepatitis C virus infection, many of them unknowingly in the 
absence of symptoms. African-Americans have been disproportionately 
afflicted by the Hepatitis C virus more than any other ethnic group, 
representing an estimated 22 percent of chronic Hepatitis C cases in 
the United States.
  The National Black Leadership Commission on AIDS, Inc. (NBLCA) has 
played a tremendous role in raising awareness by organizing the African 
American Hepatitis C Awareness Action Day. HIV infected persons are 
more susceptible to contracting the Hepatitis C virus, thus it is 
critical that people at risk are made aware in order to prolong a 
quality life. NBLCA does the community and its residents an exceptional 
service, surpassing its mission of educating African-Americans on means 
to counteract HIV/AIDS and other health disparities across the nation.
  NBLCA has serviced thousands of organizations through technical 
assistance, development, and public policy. Their actions have 
garnished over $2 billion in federal funding for HIV/AIDS, formulating 
the first programs existing in the black community to address the 
problems caused by the HIV/AIDS virus. Furthermore, NBLCA continues to 
maintain chief consultant positions on various health related issues in 
numerous national organizations. They remain partners with the 
Congressional Black Caucus, the National Association of Black Social 
Workers, and the National Caucus of Black State Legislators, totaling 
over 500 black state officials being represented by the organization. 
NBLCA is also a prominent partner of the National Baptist Ministers' 
Convention, which represents 8.2 million African Americans. 
Internationally, this well-accomplished organization has served as an 
advisor on HIV/AIDS related issues to the United Nations, Gabon, 
Central African Republic, Uganda, The Bahamas, and others.
  During this week, NBLCA has partnered with health care organizations 
and providers to provide communities with free screening services and 
information on behaviors associated with contracting the Hepatitis C 
virus. This initiative will allow many people who are unknowingly 
infected with the Hepatitis C virus to receive treatment before the 
virus causes fatal conditions such as liver cancer or cirrhosis. With 
the establishment of alliances with community leaders, clergy, and 
public officials across the nation, NBLCA has truly become a remarkable 
asset inspiring a much needed element of change within our communities.
  Fortunately for millions across the world suffering from this chronic 
disease, an effective and curative treatment for the Hepatitis C virus, 
Solvadi, has been developed by the U.S. based pharmaceutical company 
Gilead Sciences, Inc. However, it is disappointing that the high cost 
of Solvadi, $84,000 for a 12-week treatment, may leave the drug 
inaccessible to many Americans reliant on Medicaid. State Governments 
and health insurers in the U.S. will be challenged as they seek to 
provide this curative treatment to a large population of beneficiaries 
who otherwise could not afford it. Solvaldi is truly a triumph in modem 
medicine but if it cannot be made affordable to all those in need of 
treatment, it would certainly fail to serve its purpose. It is 
especially disheartening to learn that Gilead has offered to supply its 
ground breaking drug to foreign countries at up to a 99 percent 
discount of the price within the United States. Hepatitis C is a 
contagious chronic disease that often requires decades of treatment and 
expensive organ transplant procedures. If made affordable, Solvadi 
could save our country's health care system indefinite costs.
  We are in the midst of a golden opportunity to rid the world of a 
disease that has claimed the lives of countless people. As evolution 
continues to give rise to new disease that may plague future 
generations, we must make a fervent national commitment to eliminating 
disease and ensuring the health of our citizens as we have in the past 
against diseases such as polio and smallpox. I am glad we have 
organizations such as the NBLCA, who is fighting the good fight on the 
grassroots level. It would be a great triumph for humanity and modem 
medicine to speak of Hepatitis C as a disease of the past.
  Mr. Speaker, I ask that you and my distinguished colleagues join me 
in raising awareness of such a debilitating disease and support 
appropriations that grant funding to non-profit organizations like the 
NBLCA across our Great Nation. These talented organizations do such a 
tremendous job saving so many lives.

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