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/C O R R E C T I O N -- National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable/

Bipartisan Capitol Hill Media Event: Health Experts, Lawmakers to Urge Federal Government to Fix the Funding Failure for Chronic Viral Hepatitis

NVHR Chair Lorren Sandt; Representatives Hank Johnson, Mike Honda, Anh 'Joseph' Cao and Bill Cassidy to Participate in Capitol Hill Media Briefing

Tuesday, March 16, 2010

Noon - 1 p.m.

2456 Rayburn House Office Building

WASHINGTON, March 11 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- Regrettably, the federal government is failing more than 5 million Americans who are estimated to be infected with chronic viral hepatitis B or C. Because of inadequate federal funding for screening and prevention programs, most Americans don't know they are infected and lose precious time to help arrest the disease's progression to cirrhosis, liver cancer, and liver failure.

Earlier this year, the Institute of Medicine released a landmark report blasting the federal government for its failure to respond to the chronic viral hepatitis crisis. While a bipartisan coalition has come together in Congress to address this crisis, the Administration's meager response in its 2011 budget proposal means that more people will needlessly suffer in the coming year, particularly minority populations.

On Tuesday, March 16, 2010 at 12:00 p.m. in Room 2456 of the Rayburn House Office Building, the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable, four Members of Congress, and an expert physician will come together to brief the news media on the need for Washington to act on HR 3974 - which would provide additional federal funding for state-based screening, education, and prevention efforts - and fix the federal funding crisis for 5 million individuals afflicted with chronic viral hepatitis once and for all.

WHO: Ms. Lorren Sandt, Chair, National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable

Rep. Hank Johnson, D-Georgia, who recently completed treatment for hepatitis C

Rep. Mike Honda, D-California, and lead sponsor of HR 3974, "The Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act,"

Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao, R-Louisiana, Co-sponsor of HR 3974

Rep. Bill Cassidy, M.D., R-Louisiana, Co-sponsor of HR 3974 and a Hepatologist

WHAT: Fixing the Federal Government's Funding Failure on Chronic Viral Hepatitis

WHEN: 12:00 - 1:00 pm, Tuesday, March 16, 2010

WHERE: 2456 Rayburn House Office Building

Washington, D.C.

RSVP: Phil Blando, NVHR, (202) 258-4978 or pblando@abmpartnersllc.com

Andy Phelan, Office of Rep. Hank Johnson, 404-593-9126 or Andy.Phelan@mail.house.gov

SOURCE National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable