I 
111TH CONGRESS 
1ST SESSION H. R. 3974 
To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Secretary of Health 
and Human Services to establish, promote, and support a comprehensive 
prevention, education, research, and medical management referral pro-
gram for viral hepatitis infection that will lead to a marked reduction 
in the disease burden associated with chronic viral hepatitis and liver 
cancer. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
OCTOBER 29, 2009 
Mr. HONDA (for himself, Mr. DENT, Mr. TOWNS, Mr. CASSIDY, Ms. LEE of 
California, 
Mr. 
CAO, 
Mrs. 
CHRISTENSEN, 
Mr. 
PLATTS, 
Mr. 
BUTTERFIELD, Ms. CHU, Mr. RUSH, and Mr. WU) introduced the fol-
lowing bill; which was referred to the Committee on Energy and Com-
merce 
A BILL 
To amend the Public Health Service Act to direct the Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services to establish, pro-
mote, and support a comprehensive prevention, edu-
cation, research, and medical management referral pro-
gram for viral hepatitis infection that will lead to a 
marked reduction in the disease burden associated with 
chronic viral hepatitis and liver cancer. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00001
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Viral Hepatitis and 
Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act of 2009’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Approximately 5,300,000 Americans are 
chronically infected with the hepatitis B virus (re-
ferred to in this section as ‘‘HBV’’), the hepatitis C 
virus (referred to in this section as ‘‘HCV’’), or 
both. 
(2) In the United States, chronic viral hepatitis 
is the most common cause of liver cancer, one of the 
most lethal and fastest growing cancers in this coun-
try. It is the most common cause of chronic liver 
disease, liver cirrhosis, and the most common indica-
tion for liver transplantation. It is also a leading 
cause of death in Americans living with HIV/AIDS, 
many of whom are coinfected with chronic hepatitis 
B, hepatitis C, or both. At least 15,000 deaths per 
year in the United States can be attributed to chron-
ic viral hepatitis. 
(3) According to the Centers for Disease Con-
trol and Prevention (referred to in this section as 
the ‘‘CDC’’), approximately 2 percent of the popu-
lation of the United States is living with chronic 
hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or both. The CDC has rec-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00002
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
ognized HCV as the Nation’s most common chronic 
bloodborne virus infection. 
(4) Hepatitis B is easily transmitted and is 100 
times more infectious than HIV. According to the 
CDC, HBV is transmitted through percutaneous 
(i.e., puncture through the skin) or mucosal contact 
with infectious blood or body fluids. Hepatitis C is 
transmitted by percutaneous (i.e., passage through 
the skin) exposures to infectious blood. 
(5) The CDC conservatively estimates that in 
2007 approximately 17,000 Americans were newly 
infected with HCV and more than 40,000 Americans 
were newly infected with HBV. The number of peo-
ple in the United States with chronic hepatitis B 
and chronic hepatitis C is believed to be increasing 
each year. 
(6) Chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C 
usually do not cause symptoms early in the course 
of the disease, but after many years of a clinically 
‘‘silent’’ phase, as many as 25 percent of infected in-
dividuals may develop cirrhosis, end-stage liver dis-
ease, or liver cancer. Since most of those with chron-
ic viral hepatitis are unaware of their infection, they 
do not know to take precautions to prevent the 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00003
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
spread of their infection and can unknowingly exac-
erbate their own disease progression. 
(7) Hepatitis B and hepatitis C disproportion-
ately affect certain populations in the United States. 
Although representing only 4 percent of the popu-
lation, Asian and Pacific Islanders account for over 
half of the 1,400,000 domestic chronic hepatitis B 
cases. Baby boomers (those born between 1946 and 
1964) account for more than half of domestic chron-
ic hepatitis C cases. In addition, African-Americans, 
Latinos, and American Indian/Native Alaskans are 
among the groups which have disproportionately 
high rates of HBV and HCV infections in the 
United States. 
(8) Hepatitis A (referred to in this section as 
‘‘HAV’’) and HBV infection are preventable through 
currently available vaccinations. The hepatitis B vac-
cine is safe and effective and has the designation of 
being the ‘‘first anti-cancer vaccine’’ since preven-
tion of HBV infection also prevents HBV-related 
liver cancer. There is currently no vaccine available 
to prevent HCV infection. 
(9) For both chronic hepatitis B and chronic 
hepatitis C, behavioral changes can slow disease pro-
gression if diagnosis is made early. Early diagnosis, 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00004
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
which is available through simple tests, can reduce 
the risk of transmission and disease progression 
through education and vaccination of household 
members and other susceptible persons at risk. 
(10) For those chronically infected with HBV 
or HCV, regular monitoring can lead to the early de-
tection of liver cancer at a stage where cure is still 
possible. Liver cancer is one of the deadliest types 
of cancer and one that has received little funding for 
research, prevention, and treatment. 
(11) Treatment for chronic hepatitis C is cura-
tive and can eradicate the disease in approximately 
50 percent of those who are treated. Treatment for 
chronic hepatitis B is not curative, but can reduce 
the level of virus in about 50 percent of those treat-
ed. Treatment for both chronic hepatitis B and 
chronic hepatitis C can reduce the risk of progres-
sion to cirrhosis and liver cancer. 
(12) To combat the HCV epidemic in the 
United States, the CDC developed Recommendations 
for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis C Virus 
(HCV) Infection and HCV–Related Chronic Disease 
in 1998 and the National Hepatitis C Prevention 
Strategy in 2001. To combat the HBV epidemic, the 
CDC developed Recommendations for Identification 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00005
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
and Public Health Management of Persons with 
Chronic Hepatitis B Virus Infection in 2008. The 
National Institutes of Health convened Consensus 
Development Conferences on the Management of 
Hepatitis C in 1997 and 2002 and the Management 
of Hepatitis B in 2008. These recommendations and 
guidelines provide a framework for HBV and HCV 
prevention, education, control, research, and medical 
management referral programs. 
(13) Although the costs of education, research, 
and treatment are not trivial, they are substantially 
less than the annual health care cost attributable to 
viral hepatitis in the United States. For HBV, it is 
estimated to be approximately $2,500,000,000 
($2,000 per infected person). The lifetime cost of 
HBV in 2000—before the availability of most of the 
current therapies—was approximately $80,000 per 
person 
chronically 
infected, 
or 
more 
than 
$100,000,000,000. For HCV, medical costs alone 
for 
patients 
are 
expected 
to 
increase 
from 
$30,000,000,000 in 2009 to over $85,000,000,000 
in 2024. Such costs will undoubtedly increase in the 
absence of expanded prevention and treatment ef-
forts. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00006
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
(14) Federal support is necessary to increase 
knowledge and awareness of HBV and HCV and to 
assist State and local prevention and control efforts 
in reducing the morbidity and mortality of these 
epidemics. 
SEC. 3. COMPREHENSIVE HEPATITIS B AND HEPATITIS C 
PREVENTION, EDUCATION, RESEARCH, AND 
MEDICAL 
MANAGEMENT 
REFERRAL 
PRO-
GRAM. 
Title III of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 
241 et seq.) is amended— 
(1) by striking section 317N (42 U.S.C. 247b– 
15); and 
(2) by adding at the end the following: 
‘‘PART S—COMPREHENSIVE HEPATITIS B AND 
HEPATITIS C PREVENTION, EDUCATION, RE-
SEARCH, AND MEDICAL MANAGEMENT RE-
FERRAL PROGRAM 
‘‘SEC. 399FF. PROGRAM DEVELOPMENT. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall develop and 
implement a plan for the prevention, control, and medical 
management of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, which in-
cludes strategies for expanded vaccination programs for 
hepatitis B in adults, primary and secondary preventive 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00007
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
education and training, surveillance, screening, early de-
tection, and research. 
‘‘(b) INPUT IN DEVELOPMENT OF PLAN.—In devel-
oping the plan under subsection (a), the Secretary shall— 
‘‘(1) be guided by existing recommendations of 
the Department of Health and Human Services, the 
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and the 
National Institutes of Health; and 
‘‘(2) consult with— 
‘‘(A) the Director of the Centers for Dis-
ease Control and Prevention; 
‘‘(B) the Director of the National Insti-
tutes of Health; 
‘‘(C) the Director of the National Cancer 
Institute; 
‘‘(D) the Administrator of the Health Re-
sources and Services Administration; 
‘‘(E) the Administrator of the Substance 
Abuse and Mental Health Services Administra-
tion; 
‘‘(F) the Director of the Agency for 
Healthcare Research and Quality; 
‘‘(G) the heads of other Federal agencies 
or offices providing education services to indi-
viduals with viral hepatitis; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00008
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(H) the director of the Department of 
Veterans Affairs; 
‘‘(I) medical advisory bodies that address 
issues related to viral hepatitis; and 
‘‘(J) the public, including— 
‘‘(i) individuals infected with hepatitis 
B, hepatitis C, or both; and 
‘‘(ii) advocates concerned with issues 
related to chronic hepatitis B and chronic 
hepatitis C. 
‘‘(c) BIENNIAL UPDATE OF THE PLAN.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary shall con-
duct a biennial assessment of the plan developed 
under subsection (a) for the purposes of— 
‘‘(A) incorporating into such plan new 
knowledge or observations relating to hepatitis 
B and hepatitis C (such as knowledge and ob-
servations that may be derived from clinical, 
laboratory, and epidemiological research and 
disease detection, prevention, and surveillance 
outcomes); 
‘‘(B) addressing gaps in the coverage or ef-
fectiveness of the plan; and 
‘‘(C) evaluating and, if appropriate, updat-
ing recommendations, guidelines, or educational 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00009
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
materials of the Centers for Disease Control 
and Prevention or the National Institutes of 
Health for health care providers or the public 
on viral hepatitis in order to be consistent with 
the plan. 
‘‘(2) PUBLICATION
OF
NOTICE
OF
ASSESS-
MENTS.—Not later than October 1 of the first even 
numbered year beginning after the date of the enact-
ment of this part, and October 1 of each even num-
bered year thereafter, the Secretary shall publish in 
the Federal Register a notice of the results of the 
assessments conducted under paragraph (1). Such 
notice shall include— 
‘‘(A) a description of any revisions to the 
plan developed under subsection (a) as a result 
of the assessment; 
‘‘(B) an explanation of the basis for any 
such revisions, including the ways in which such 
revisions can reasonably be expected to further 
promote the original goals and objectives of the 
plan; and 
‘‘(C) in the case of a determination by the 
Secretary that the plan does not need revision, 
an explanation of the basis for such determina-
tion. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00010
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
‘‘SEC. 399GG. ELEMENTS OF PROGRAM. 
‘‘(a) EDUCATION AND AWARENESS PROGRAMS.—The 
Secretary, acting through the Director of the Centers for 
Disease Control and Prevention, the Administrator of the 
Health Resources and Services Administration, and the 
Administrator of the Substance Abuse and Mental Health 
Services Administration, and in accordance with the plan 
developed under section 399FF, shall implement programs 
to increase awareness and enhance knowledge and under-
standing of hepatitis B and hepatitis C. Such programs 
shall include— 
‘‘(1) the conduct of culturally and language ap-
propriate health education in primary and secondary 
schools, college campuses, public awareness cam-
paigns, and community outreach activities (especially 
to the ethnic communities with high rates of chronic 
hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C and other high- 
risk groups) to promote public awareness and knowl-
edge about the value of hepatitis A and hepatitis B 
immunization, risk factors, the transmission and 
prevention of hepatitis B and hepatitis C, the value 
of screening for the early detection of hepatitis B 
and hepatitis C, and options available for the treat-
ment of chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C; 
‘‘(2) the promotion of immunization programs 
that increase awareness and access to hepatitis A 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00011
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
and hepatitis B vaccines for susceptible adults and 
children; 
‘‘(3) the training of health care professionals 
regarding the importance of vaccinating individuals 
infected with hepatitis C and individuals who are at 
risk for hepatitis C infection against hepatitis A and 
hepatitis B; 
‘‘(4) the training of health care professionals 
regarding the importance of vaccinating individuals 
chronically infected with hepatitis B and individuals 
who are at risk for chronic hepatitis B infection 
against the hepatitis A virus; 
‘‘(5) the training of health care professionals 
and health educators to make them aware of the 
high rates of chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepa-
titis C in certain adult ethnic populations, and the 
importance of prevention, detection, and medical 
management of hepatitis B and hepatitis C and of 
liver cancer screening; 
‘‘(6) the development and distribution of health 
education curricula (including information relating 
to the special needs of individuals infected with hep-
atitis B and hepatitis C, such as the importance of 
prevention and early intervention, regular moni-
toring, the recognition of psychosocial needs, appro-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00012
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
priate treatment, and liver cancer screening) for in-
dividuals providing hepatitis B and hepatitis C coun-
seling; and 
‘‘(7) support for the implementation curricula 
described in paragraph (6) by State and local public 
health agencies. 
‘‘(b) IMMUNIZATION, PREVENTION, AND CONTROL 
PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, shall support the integra-
tion of activities described in paragraph (2) into ex-
isting clinical and public health programs at State, 
local, territorial, and tribal levels (including commu-
nity health clinics, programs for the prevention and 
treatment of HIV/AIDS, sexually transmitted dis-
eases, and substance abuse, and programs for indi-
viduals in correctional settings). 
‘‘(2) ACTIVITIES.— 
‘‘(A) VOLUNTARY TESTING PROGRAMS.— 
‘‘(i) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary 
shall establish a mechanism by which to 
support and promote the development of 
State, local, territorial, and tribal vol-
untary hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00013
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
programs to screen the high-prevalence 
populations to aid in the early identifica-
tion of chronically infected individuals. 
‘‘(ii) CONFIDENTIALITY OF THE TEST 
RESULTS.—The Secretary shall prohibit 
the use of the results of a hepatitis B or 
hepatitis C test conducted by a testing pro-
gram developed or supported under this 
subparagraph for any of the following: 
‘‘(I) Issues relating to health in-
surance. 
‘‘(II) To screen or determine 
suitability for employment. 
‘‘(III) To discharge a person 
from employment. 
‘‘(B) COUNSELING REGARDING VIRAL HEP-
ATITIS.—The Secretary shall support State, 
local, territorial, and tribal programs in a wide 
variety of settings, including those providing 
primary and specialty health care services in 
nonprofit private and public sectors, to— 
‘‘(i) provide individuals with ongoing 
risk factors for hepatitis B and hepatitis C 
infection with client-centered education 
and counseling which concentrates on— 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00014
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(I) promoting testing of individ-
uals that have been exposed to their 
blood, family members, and their sex-
ual partners; and 
‘‘(II) changing behaviors that 
place individuals at risk for infection; 
‘‘(ii) provide individuals chronically in-
fected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C with 
education, health information, and coun-
seling to reduce their risk of— 
‘‘(I) dying from end-stage liver 
disease and liver cancer; and 
‘‘(II) transmitting viral hepatitis 
to others; and 
‘‘(iii) provide women chronically in-
fected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C who 
are pregnant or of childbearing age with 
culturally and language appropriate health 
information, such as how to prevent hepa-
titis B perinatal infection, and to alleviate 
fears associated with pregnancy or raising 
a family. 
‘‘(C) IMMUNIZATION.—The Secretary shall 
support State, local, territorial, and tribal ef-
forts to expand the current vaccination pro-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00015
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
grams to protect every child in the country and 
all susceptible adults, particularly those infected 
with hepatitis C and high-prevalence ethnic 
populations and other high-risk groups, from 
the risks of acute and chronic hepatitis B infec-
tion by— 
‘‘(i) ensuring continued funding for 
hepatitis B vaccination for all children 19 
years of age or younger through the Vac-
cines for Children Program; 
‘‘(ii) ensuring that the recommenda-
tions of the Advisory Committee on Immu-
nization Practices are followed regarding 
the birth dose of hepatitis B vaccinations 
for newborns; 
‘‘(iii) requiring proof of hepatitis B 
vaccination for entry into public or private 
daycare, preschool, elementary school, sec-
ondary school, and institutions of higher 
education; 
‘‘(iv) expanding the availability of 
hepatitis B vaccination for all susceptible 
adults to protect them from becoming 
acutely or chronically infected, including 
ethnic and other populations with high 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00016
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
prevalence rates of chronic hepatitis B in-
fection; 
‘‘(v) expanding the availability of hep-
atitis B vaccination for all susceptible 
adults, particularly those in their reproduc-
tive age (women and men less than 45 
years of age), to protect them from the 
risk of hepatitis B infection; 
‘‘(vi) ensuring the vaccination of indi-
viduals infected, or at risk for infection, 
with hepatitis C against hepatitis A, hepa-
titis B, and other infectious diseases, as 
appropriate, for which such individuals 
may be at increased risk; and 
‘‘(vii) ensuring the vaccination of indi-
viduals infected, or at risk for infection, 
with hepatitis B against hepatitis A virus 
and other infectious diseases, as appro-
priate, for which such individuals may be 
at increased risk. 
‘‘(D) MEDICAL REFERRAL.—The Secretary 
shall support State, local, territorial, and tribal 
programs that support— 
‘‘(i) referral of persons chronically in-
fected with hepatitis B or hepatitis C— 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00017
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(I) for medical evaluation to de-
termine 
the 
appropriateness 
for 
antiviral treatment to reduce the risk 
of progression to cirrhosis and liver 
cancer; and 
‘‘(II) for ongoing medical man-
agement including regular monitoring 
of liver function and screening for 
liver cancer; and 
‘‘(ii) referral of persons infected with 
acute or chronic hepatitis B infection or 
acute or chronic hepatitis C infection for 
drug and alcohol abuse treatment where 
appropriate. 
‘‘(3) INCREASED SUPPORT FOR ADULT VIRAL 
HEPATITIS COORDINATORS.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, shall provide increased sup-
port to Adult Viral Hepatitis Coordinators in State, 
local, territorial, and tribal health departments in 
order to enhance the additional management, net-
working, and technical expertise needed to ensure 
successful integration of hepatitis B and hepatitis C 
prevention and control activities into existing public 
health programs. 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00018
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(c) EPIDEMIOLOGICAL SURVEILLANCE.— 
‘‘(1) IN
GENERAL.—The Secretary, acting 
through the Director of the Centers for Disease 
Control and Prevention, shall support the establish-
ment and maintenance of a national chronic and 
acute hepatitis B and hepatitis C surveillance pro-
gram, in order to identify— 
‘‘(A) trends in the incidence of acute and 
chronic hepatitis B and acute and chronic hepa-
titis C; 
‘‘(B) trends in the prevalence of acute and 
chronic hepatitis B and acute and chronic hepa-
titis C infection among groups that may be dis-
proportionately affected; and 
‘‘(C) trends in liver cancer and end-stage 
liver disease incidence and deaths, caused by 
chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C in 
the high-risk ethnic populations. 
‘‘(2) SEROPREVALENCE
AND
LIVER
CANCER 
STUDIES.—The Secretary, acting through the Direc-
tor of the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion, shall prepare a report outlining the population- 
based seroprevalence studies currently underway, fu-
ture planned studies, the criteria involved in deter-
mining which seroprevalence studies to conduct, 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00019
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
defer, or suspend, and the scope of those studies, the 
economic and clinical impact of hepatitis B and hep-
atitis C, and the impact of chronic hepatitis B and 
chronic hepatitis C infections on the quality of life. 
Not later than one year after the date of the enact-
ment of this part, the Secretary shall submit the re-
port to the Committee on Energy and Commerce of 
the House of Representatives and the Committee on 
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions of the Sen-
ate. 
‘‘(3) CONFIDENTIALITY.—The Secretary shall 
not disclose any individually identifiable information 
identified under paragraph (1) or derived through 
studies under paragraph (2). 
‘‘(d) RESEARCH.—The Secretary, acting through the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Preven-
tion, the Director of the National Cancer Institute, and 
the Director of the National Institutes of Health, shall— 
‘‘(1) conduct epidemiologic and community- 
based research to develop, implement, and evaluate 
best practices for hepatitis B and hepatitis C pre-
vention especially in the ethnic populations with high 
rates of chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C 
and other high-risk groups; 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00020
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
‘‘(2) conduct research on hepatitis B and hepa-
titis C natural history, pathophysiology, improved 
treatments and prevention (such as the hepatitis C 
vaccine), and noninvasive tests that help to predict 
the risk of progression to liver cirrhosis and liver 
cancer; 
‘‘(3) conduct research that will lead to better 
noninvasive or blood tests to screen for liver cancer, 
and more effective treatments of liver cancer caused 
by chronic hepatitis B and chronic hepatitis C; and 
‘‘(4) conduct research comparing the effective-
ness of screening, diagnostic, management, and 
treatment approaches for chronic hepatitis B, chron-
ic hepatitis C, and liver cancer in the affected com-
munities. 
‘‘(e) UNDERSERVED AND DISPROPORTIONATELY AF-
FECTED POPULATIONS.—In carrying out this section, the 
Secretary shall provide expanded support for individuals 
with limited access to health education, testing, and health 
care services and groups that may be disproportionately 
affected by hepatitis B and hepatitis C. 
‘‘(f) EVALUATION
OF PROGRAM.—The Secretary 
shall develop benchmarks for evaluating the effectiveness 
of the programs and activities conducted under this sec-
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00021
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
tion and make determinations as to whether such bench-
marks have been achieved. 
‘‘SEC. 399HH. GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may award grants 
to, or enter into contracts or cooperative agreements with, 
States, political subdivisions of States, territories, Indian 
tribes, or nonprofit entities that have special expertise re-
lating to hepatitis B, hepatitis C, or both, to carry out 
activities under this part. 
‘‘(b) APPLICATION.—To be eligible for a grant, con-
tract, or cooperative agreement under subsection (a), an 
entity shall prepare and submit to the Secretary an appli-
cation at such time, in such manner, and containing such 
information as the Secretary may require. 
‘‘SEC. 399II. AUTHORIZATION OF APPROPRIATIONS. 
‘‘There are authorized to be appropriated to carry out 
this part $90,000,000 for fiscal year 2010, $90,000,000 
for fiscal year 2011, $110,000,000 for fiscal year 2012, 
$130,000,000 for fiscal year 2013, and $150,000,000 for 
fiscal year 2014.’’. 
SEC. 4. ENHANCING SAMHSA’S ROLE IN HEPATITIS ACTIVI-
TIES. 
Paragraph (6) of section 501(d) of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 290aa(d)) is amended by striking 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00022
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6201
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS
‘‘HIV or tuberculosis’’ and inserting ‘‘HIV, tuberculosis, 
or hepatitis’’. 
Æ 
VerDate Nov 24 2008 
00:06 Oct 31, 2009
Jkt 089200
PO 00000
Frm 00023
Fmt 6652
Sfmt 6301
E:\BILLS\H3974.IH
H3974
bajohnson on DSK3CLS3C1PROD with BILLS