[United States Statutes at Large, Volume 130, 114th Congress, 2nd Session]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

 
Proclamation 9450 of May 18, 2016

National Hepatitis Testing Day, 2016

By the President of the United States of America

A Proclamation

In the United States, hepatitis A, B, and C are the most common types of
viral hepatitis--affecting between 3.5 and 6.9 million people and
claiming the lives of thousands of our fellow Americans each year.
Because of the persistent efforts of researchers, advocates, and so many

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others in the medical and public health communities, we have made great
strides in advancing treatment of and finding cures for viral hepatitis.
Individuals living with hepatitis B and C can only benefit from these
advances if they are tested and made aware of their disease. On National
Hepatitis Testing Day, we reaffirm the importance of educating people
about viral hepatitis, and we encourage individuals at risk for
hepatitis B and hepatitis C to get tested.
More than half of Americans living with viral hepatitis are unaware of
their infection status. This lack of awareness contributes to an
increasing number of infections and deaths that could be prevented by
people receiving the care and treatment they need. When left undiagnosed
and untreated, viral hepatitis can cause serious damage to the liver--it
is the leading cause of liver cancer and the most common reason for
liver transplantation. Symptoms of viral hepatitis can go undetected for
many years, which is why it is important to receive vaccines for
hepatitis A and B, and blood tests for hepatitis B and C--measures that
can be life-saving for those living with this disease. I urge all
Americans to visit www.CDC.gov/Hepatitis for more information.
Prevention and early detection are key to combating viral hepatitis, and
my Administration remains dedicated to ensuring all Americans have
access to the quality, affordable health care they deserve. The
Affordable Care Act requires coverage of recommended services that can
help prevent, detect, and treat viral hepatitis--including viral
hepatitis vaccinations and testing. In addition, the Act prohibits
insurers from denying coverage to anyone with a preexisting condition,
like viral hepatitis. We have also released a roadmap for ensuring our
Federal efforts to address viral hepatitis are coordinated and focused
on making more people living with viral hepatitis aware of their status.
The Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, and Treatment of Viral
Hepatitis, available at www.HHS.gov/Hepatitis, spans more than 20
Federal entities and it moves us toward increasing the number of people
who are aware of their infection status, reducing the number of new
cases of hepatitis C, and eliminating the transmission of hepatitis B
between mother and child.
I have proposed funding to support a new initiative aimed at expanding
testing and access to treatment of hepatitis C for people living with
HIV and to advance efforts to eliminate hepatitis C transmission and
deaths. Those living with HIV are more vulnerable to viral hepatitis
infections, and African Americans, Asian Americans and Pacific
Islanders, and American Indians and Alaska Natives are also
disproportionately affected. Viral hepatitis infections, particularly
among young people, can be reduced by addressing the heroin epidemic and
abuse of prescription opioids--a priority for my Administration--and by
ensuring that individuals who inject drugs have access to treatment
services for HIV, viral hepatitis, and substance use disorders. We have
taken action to expand access to treatment and increase community
prevention strategies so more Americans can get the help they need.
On this day, let us rededicate ourselves to ensuring all people with
viral hepatitis know their infection status and have access to necessary
care and resources. Let us honor those we have lost too soon, and let us
recognize the many individuals working tirelessly to address this
disease, develop treatments, and save lives.

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NOW, THEREFORE, I, BARACK OBAMA, President of the United States of
America, by virtue of the authority vested in me by the Constitution and
the laws of the United States, do hereby proclaim May 19, 2016, as
National Hepatitis Testing Day. I encourage citizens, Government
agencies, non-profit organizations, and communities across the Nation to
join in activities that will increase awareness about viral hepatitis
and the need for expanded testing.
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this eighteenth day of
May, in the year of our Lord two thousand sixteen, and of the
Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and
fortieth.
BARACK OBAMA