A proven model for curing hepatitis C could be going national, thanks to a bipartisan proposal in Congress.
The Cure Hepatitis C Act, introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy and Chris Van Hollen, builds on the success of a similar medication-mailing program launched in Cassidy’s home state of Louisiana.
Streamlining Access, Reducing Cost
With widespread screening and a subscription-based model for treatment, the Louisiana program streamlines the delivery of a cure. Experts predict public health spending will be reduced by purchasing directly from manufacturers and treating at-risk populations before liver damage becomes chronic or severe.
The legislation authorizes the federal government to negotiate large-scale purchases of curative hepatitis C medications. Treatments would then be made available to patients without cost barriers. And state Medicaid programs would be invited to participate.
Data from the Congressional Budget Office predict a coast-to-coast implementation could save 90,000 lives and nearly $60 billion by 2050. Even though Hepatitis C is 95% curable with an 8-12 week course of antivirals, more than 15,000 Americans die each year of the condition.
Addressing Hurdles to Hepatitis C Treatment
Hepatitis C is poorly understood by the public. As many as 40% of people living with the condition are unaware of their status. Stigma, lack of screening and insurance restrictions often block access to life-saving care. This bill attempts to topple those barriers by providing free-to-patient access, regardless of background or insurance status.
For help in determining who needs these life-saving medications, the bill directs funding to public health activities that improve screening and early detection. Expanded prevention programs and improved outreach to vulnerable populations would also help identify patients who could benefit. Because hepatitis C is transmissible, including in hospital settings, these measures also work to reduce new infections.
Communities disproportionately impacted by both the disease and lack of medical access, including people who inject drugs or are incarcerated, stand to benefit the most. Low rates of awareness and screening in some ethnic groups and immigrant communities are also addressed in the bill.
Supporting Hep C Elimination
A national plan to bulk-buy curative drugs and provide them at no cost would intervene before the expensive hospitalization and transplant risks of the condition’s later stages. It would also save lives by curing those who have the condition and reducing the likelihood of future transmission. However, it is critically important that this program ensures access to the full range of approved treatment options. Ensuring that the appropriate treatment is available will significantly improve elimination efforts.
The World Health Organization set a goal of ending hepatitis C as a global health threat almost 10 years ago. If passed, the Cure Hepatitis C Act gives the United States a plan of action for total elimination of a disease long overdue for national attention.
