Sens. Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) have introduced legislation, the Cure Hepatitis C Act (S. 1941), which has been endorsed by NASPGHAN.

The bill:

• authorizes a new Hepatitis C Elimination Program;
• creates an innovative purchasing model for direct acting antivirals; and 
• establishes the infrastructure necessary in communities across the country to support a test-to-treat program to ensure that more people are diagnosed and linked to treatment at no cost.

Children enrolled in State Children’s Health Insurance Programs (CHIP) would be among the covered populations who would be eligible to access hepatitis C (HCV) treatment at no cost. Because pediatric patients with HCV are often reliant on public insurance programs, this bill ensures equitable and uninterrupted access to life-saving therapies during critical windows of early childhood. 

Take action by asking your senators to cosponsor S. 1941.