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2023 Session

Budget Amendments - SB800 (Floor Approved)

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Hepatitis B and C Elimination Strategy (language only)

Item 293 #3s

Item 293 #3s

Health and Human Resources
Department of Health

Language

Page 342, after line 31, insert:

"H. In order to safeguard public health, in response to the growing prevalence of viral hepatitis in the Commonwealth, the Virginia Department of Health shall prioritize development of a statewide strategy for the elimination of Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C. In developing its strategy, the department shall conduct a needs assessment of resources necessary to successfully implement its strategy. The department shall report its strategy and resource requirements to the Chairs of the House Appropriations and Senate Finance and Appropriations Committees, the Secretary of Health and Human Resources, and the Department of Planning and Budget by October 1, 2023. In developing its strategy, the department shall consult medical specialty societies, clinical institutions, viral hepatitis patient advocates, people with lived viral hepatitis experience, pharmaceutical manufacturers, and health insurance carriers. All agencies of the Commonwealth shall cooperate and provide support to the department upon the department's request. The department's strategy and needs assessment shall address: (i) testing, linkage to care and patient navigation; (ii) expansion of viral hepatitis programs in primary care settings and substance use disorder treatment programs; (iii) expansion of relevant provider education, (iv) development of public awareness campaigns, (v) viral hepatitis surveillance; and (vi) corrections viral hepatitis healthcare."



Explanation

(This amendment directs the Virginia Department of Health (VDH) to plan an elimination campaign for Hepatitis B and C.)