Advocacy

The Hepatitis B Foundation (HBF) is actively working on important state and federal initiatives that advance hepatitis B as an urgent public health priority. Through successful partnerships with federal, state and local agencies, as well as public health and other nonprofit organizations, we are able to more effectively leverage our efforts and maximize our resources to ensure that hepatitis B will not be overlooked. Learn more about what we are doing, and how you might be able to help spread the word about hepatitis B!

Congressional Briefing on Hepatitis B: Zero Tolerance for Hepatitis B: the Health Needs of Women and Children
Congressmen Mike Honda (CA-D) and Charles Dent (PA-R) will host a Congressional Briefing on May 20, 2008 in commemoration of National Hepatitis B Week (May 19-23). Special Speaker California Assemblywoman and Assembly Majority Whip Fiona Ma will provide personal testimony. Expert speakers will include Dr. Timothy Block, President of the Hepatitis B Foundation.

U.S. Representative Mike Honda Introduces Bi-Partisan Bill to Boost Hepatitis B Research and Prevention
Aiming to reduce the number of Hepatitis-B victims, Rep. Mike Honda (D-CA) and Rep. Charlie Dent (R-PA) recently introduced a bill that could boost immunization rates against the disease and increase funding for Hepatitis-B research. Read Bill H.R. 3944

Hepatitis B Foundation Helps Get CDC $1 Million More for Viral Hepatitis
The Hepatitis B Foundation’s advocacy efforts to raise hepatitis B as a national health priority has successfully resulted in the House Appropriations Committee’s recent approval of a $1 million budget increase in 2008 for the CDC's Division of Viral Hepatitis. Congressman Mike Honda issued a public statement during the first session of the 110th Congress on July 17 to express his commitment to increased funding for hepatitis B. Read Congressman Honda’s Floor Statement.

HBF Recognized in Congress
Congressman Patrick J. Murphy of Pennsylvania recognized the Hepatitis B Foundation in a Congressional Statement delivered on September 5, 2007. He praised the Foundation for its research, education and advocacy efforts and noted that the organization is celebrating its 15-year anniversary.

Legislative Initiatives
In a time of competing disease priorities and budget cuts, the Hepatitis B Foundation is committed to informing and educating key policy leaders and decision-makers about hepatitis B.

May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month
May is National Hepatitis Awareness Month, which is an opportunity to turn the spotlight on more than 5 million Americans who live with chronic hepatitis B and C each year. The Centers for Disease Control first established May as Hepatitis Awareness Month in 2001.

National Hepatitis B Awareness Week (May 7-11, 2007)
“National Hepatitis B Awareness Week” was first designated by Congress in a bi-partisan resolution in 2005. This week calls for Americans to observe the week with activities to raise awareness about hepatitis B as an important public health concern.

AIM for the B Campaign (May 7-11, 2007)
“AIM for the B” is a public awareness program that coincides with “National Hepatitis B Awareness Week” to increase “Awareness, Involvement and Mobilization for Chronic Hepatitis” across the country through media events. It was first launched in May 2005 by the Hepatitis B Foundation in partnership with Bristol-Myers Squibb.

National Strategy for Eliminating Hepatitis in the U.S.
The National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable (NVHR) published the first comprehensive national strategy to eliminate viral hepatitis in the United States – Eliminating Hepatitis: A Call to Action – and presented it to Congress in 2006. The Hepatitis B Foundation is a charter member of the NVHR and currently chairs this 120 member nonprofit coalition.

National Liver Disease Research Plan
The National Institutes of Health (NIH) released the “Action Plan for Liver Disease Research”, a comprehensive plan aimed at decreasing the burden of liver and biliary diseases in the U.S. over the next decade in 2005. The Hepatitis B Foundation’s “Research Priorities 2000” were included in this plan.

Expert Legislative Testimony (ongoing)
Our medical and scientific experts, and outreach staff regularly provide expert testimony to state and federal legislators in support of the urgent need to improve funding for hepatitis B prevention, screening, and research programs.