SJ0046 97TH GENERAL ASSEMBLY

SJ0046 LRB097 20181 RPM 65590 r

SENATE JOINT RESOLUTION

WHEREAS, An estimated 4,000,000 individuals in the United States are infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV), and 75% of these individuals are unaware they are infected; and

WHEREAS, HCV is the leading cause of liver cancer and liver failure and the most common reason for liver transplantation in the United States; and

WHEREAS, HCV is 4 times more prevalent than HIV/AIDS and led to more than 15,000 deaths in the United States in 2007; 350,000 people die each year due to hepatitis C-related liver disease worldwide; and

WHEREAS, Two of every 3 people with chronic hepatitis C in this country are baby boomers born between 1945 and 1965 who were infected decades ago; and

WHEREAS, HCV disproportionately affects minorities; African Americans, who make up 14% of the population, account for 22% of HCV cases in the U.S.; and

WHEREAS, The Hispanic community also bears a heavier burden; chronic HCV is more aggressive and carries a higher risk of cirrhosis for Hispanics than for any other ethnic group; and

WHEREAS, The costs for HCV patients are projected to more than double over the next 20 years, from $30,000,000,000 to $85,000,000,000 per year; therefore, be it

RESOLVED, BY THE SENATE OF THE NINETY-SEVENTH GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE STATE OF ILLINOIS, THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES CONCURRING HEREIN, that, due to the prevalence and highly communicable nature of hepatitis, we urge the 112th Congress of the United States to enact the federal Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2011 in order to:

(1) authorize testing programs with the goal of making 75% of infected people aware of their status by 2016;

(2) authorize the development and distribution of public information about viral hepatitis detection and the control of infections;

(3) authorize better coordination of medical treatment and counseling so that infected people have access to the best services; and

(4) improve the education, training, and skills of health professionals in the detection and control of viral hepatitis infections; and be it further

RESOLVED, That suitable copies of this resolution be delivered to members of the Illinois congressional delegation.