I 
118TH CONGRESS 
2D SESSION 
H. R. 8601 
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for and support liver 
illness visibility, education, and research, and for other purposes. 
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES 
JUNE 3, 2024 
Ms. VELA´ZQUEZ (for herself, Mr. BOWMAN, Ms. MENG, Ms. SCHAKOWSKY, 
Ms. BARRAGA´N, Ms. JACKSON LEE, Mr. GRIJALVA, and Mr. JOHNSON 
of Georgia) introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Com-
mittee on Energy and Commerce 
A BILL 
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for 
and support liver illness visibility, education, and re-
search, and for other purposes. 
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representa-
tives of the United States of America in Congress assembled, 
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE. 
This Act may be cited as the ‘‘Liver Illness Visibility, 
Education, and Research Act of 2024’’. 
SEC. 2. FINDINGS. 
Congress finds the following: 
(1) Liver cancer is among the leading causes of 
cancer deaths globally. 
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(2) In 2023, approximately 41,630 people in 
the United States were diagnosed with primary liver 
cancer, and approximately 29,840 died from the dis-
ease. 
(3) Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer 
death among the Asian-American, Pacific Islander, 
and Hispanic communities. 
(4) The most vulnerable Asian-Americans are 
those who are foreign-born, low-income, and living in 
ethnic enclaves. 
(5) Asian and Pacific Islander men and women 
are more than twice as likely to develop liver cancer 
compared to the non-Hispanic White population. 
(6) Among the Asian and Pacific Islander pop-
ulation, the higher incidence rate of liver cancer is 
partially explained by higher incidence rates of Hep-
atitis B and diabetes, which are comorbidities shown 
to increase an individual’s risk of developing liver 
cancer. 
(7) The most common causes of liver cancer in-
clude Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus infec-
tion. 
(8) Hepatitis B is a primary risk factor for de-
veloping liver cancer, and 1 in 4 of those chronically 
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infected with hepatitis B develop cirrhosis, liver fail-
ure, or liver cancer. 
(9) Half of all individuals with hepatitis B in 
the United States are Asian-American or Pacific Is-
lander, though this group accounts for only 5 per-
cent of the U.S. population. 
(10) Among African immigrants in the United 
States, the prevalence of hepatitis B infection is ap-
proximately 1 in 10, and African immigrants make 
up 30 percent of those with chronic hepatitis B in-
fection in the United States. 
(11) Among Hispanic/Latino communities, liver 
cancer incidence and death rates are twice as high 
compared to the non-Hispanic White population. 
(12) Hispanics/Latinos are 60 percent more 
likely to die from viral hepatitis than non-Hispanic 
Whites. 
SEC. 3. LIVER CANCER AND DISEASE RESEARCH. 
Subpart 1 of part C of title IV of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285 et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 417H. LIVER CANCER AND DISEASE RESEARCH. 
‘‘(a) EXPANSION
AND COORDINATION
OF ACTIVI-
TIES.—The Director of the Institute shall expand, inten-
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sify, and coordinate the activities of the Institute with re-
spect to research on liver cancer and other liver diseases. 
‘‘(b) PROGRAMS FOR LIVER CANCER.—In carrying 
out subsection (a), the Director of the Institute shall— 
‘‘(1) provide for an expansion and intensifica-
tion of the conduct and support of— 
‘‘(A) basic research concerning the etiology 
and causes of liver cancer; 
‘‘(B) clinical research and related activities 
concerning the causes, prevention, detection, 
and treatment of liver cancer; 
‘‘(C) control programs with respect to liver 
cancer, in accordance with section 412, includ-
ing community-based programs designed to as-
sist members of medically underserved popu-
lations (including women), low-income popu-
lations, or minority groups; and 
‘‘(D) information and education programs 
with respect to liver cancer, in accordance with 
section 413; 
‘‘(2) issue targeted calls for proposals from re-
search scientists for purposes of funding priority 
areas of liver cancer research; 
‘‘(3) establish a special emphasis panel (as de-
fined by the National Institutes of Health) to review 
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any proposal submitted pursuant to paragraph (2); 
and 
‘‘(4) based on reviews by the special emphasis 
panel under paragraph (3), select which proposals to 
fund or support. 
‘‘(c) INTER-INSTITUTE WORKING GROUP.—The Di-
rector of the Institute shall establish an inter-institute 
working group to coordinate research agendas focused on 
finding better outcomes and cures for liver cancer and 
other liver diseases, including hepatitis B. 
‘‘(d) GRANTS AND COOPERATIVE AGREEMENTS.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary may award 
grants and enter into cooperative agreements with 
entities for the purpose of expanding and supporting 
research on— 
‘‘(A) conditions known to increase an indi-
vidual’s risk of developing a major liver disease, 
such as liver cancer, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, 
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis of 
the liver; and 
‘‘(B) opportunities for preventative and di-
agnostic measures for such a disease, including 
the study of molecular pathology and biomark-
ers for early detection of such disease. 
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‘‘(2) EXPERIMENTAL
TREATMENT
AND
PRE-
VENTION.—In the case of an entity that is a hospital 
or a health care facility, the Secretary may award a 
grant or enter into a cooperative agreement with 
such an entity for the purpose of supporting an ex-
perimental treatment or prevention program for liver 
cancer carried out by such entity. 
‘‘(3) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
For purposes of carrying out this subsection, there 
is authorized to be appropriated $45,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Any 
amounts appropriated under this paragraph shall re-
main available until expended.’’. 
SEC. 4. LIVER CANCER AND DISEASE PREVENTION, AWARE-
NESS, AND PATIENT TRACKING GRANTS. 
Subpart I of part D of title III of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 254b et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 330Q. LIVER CANCER AND DISEASE PREVENTION, 
AWARENESS, 
AND 
PATIENT 
TRACKING 
GRANTS. 
‘‘(a) PREVENTION INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, through the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, may award grants and enter into coopera-
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tive agreements with entities for the purpose of ex-
panding and supporting— 
‘‘(A) prevention activities (including pro-
viding screenings, vaccinations, or other pre-
ventative treatment) for conditions known to in-
crease an individual’s risk of developing a major 
liver disease, such as liver cancer, hepatitis B, 
hepatitis C, nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and 
cirrhosis of the liver; 
‘‘(B) activities relating to surveillance, 
diagnostics, and provision of guidance for indi-
viduals at high risk for contracting liver cancer 
and other liver diseases; and 
‘‘(C) a robust hepatitis surveillance infra-
structure to provide for timely and accurate in-
formation regarding progress to eliminate viral 
hepatitis. 
‘‘(2) REPORT.—An entity that receives a grant 
or cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) shall 
submit to the Secretary, at a time specified by the 
Secretary, a report describing each activity carried 
out pursuant to such paragraph and evaluating the 
effectiveness of such activity in promoting prevention 
and treatment of liver cancer and other liver dis-
eases. 
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‘‘(3) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
For purposes of carrying out this subsection, there 
is authorized to be appropriated $90,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Any 
amounts appropriated under this paragraph shall re-
main available until expended and shall be used to 
supplement and not supplant other Federal funds 
provided for activities under this subsection. 
‘‘(b) AWARENESS INITIATIVE GRANT PROGRAM.— 
‘‘(1) IN GENERAL.—The Secretary, through the 
Director of the Centers for Disease Control and Pre-
vention, may award grants to eligible entities for the 
purpose of raising awareness for liver cancer and 
other liver diseases, which may include the produc-
tion, dissemination, and distribution of informational 
materials targeted towards communities and popu-
lations with a higher risk for developing liver cancer 
and other liver diseases. 
‘‘(2) ELIGIBLE ENTITIES.—To be eligible to re-
ceive a grant under paragraph (1), an entity shall 
submit to the Secretary an application, at such time, 
in such manner, and containing such information as 
the Secretary may require, including a description of 
how the entity, in disseminating information on liver 
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cancer and other liver diseases pursuant to para-
graph (1), will— 
‘‘(A) with respect to any community or 
population, consult with members of such com-
munity or population and provide such informa-
tion in a manner that is culturally and linguis-
tically appropriate for such community or popu-
lation; 
‘‘(B) highlight the range of treatments 
available for liver cancer and other liver dis-
eases; 
‘‘(C) integrate information on available 
hepatitis B and hepatitis C testing programs 
into any liver cancer presentations carried out 
by the entity; and 
‘‘(D) target communities and populations 
with a higher risk for contracting liver cancer 
and other liver diseases. 
‘‘(3) PREFERENCE.—In awarding grants under 
paragraph (1), the Secretary shall give preference to 
entities that— 
‘‘(A) are, or work with, a Federally quali-
fied health center; or 
‘‘(B) are community-based organizations. 
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‘‘(4) REPORT.—An entity that receives a grant 
under paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary, 
at a time specified by the Secretary, a report de-
scribing each activity carried out pursuant to such 
paragraph and evaluating the effectiveness of such 
activity in raising awareness for liver cancer and 
other liver diseases. 
‘‘(5) AUTHORIZATION
OF
APPROPRIATIONS.— 
For purposes of carrying out this subsection, there 
is authorized to be appropriated $10,000,000 for 
each of fiscal years 2025 through 2029. Any 
amounts appropriated under this paragraph shall re-
main available until expended and shall be used to 
supplement and not supplant other Federal funds 
provided for activities under this subsection.’’. 
SEC. 5. HEPATITIS B RESEARCH. 
Subpart 3 of part C of title IV of the Public Health 
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c et seq.) is amended by adding 
at the end the following new section: 
‘‘SEC. 434B. HEPATITIS B. 
‘‘The Director of the Institute shall, in collaboration 
with the Director of the National Institute of Allergy and 
Infectious Diseases, issue targeted calls for hepatitis B re-
search proposals focused on key research questions identi-
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(1) by striking ‘‘National Institute of Diabetes 
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases’’ and inserting 
‘‘National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kid-
ney, and Liver Diseases’’; and 
(2) by striking ‘‘and kidney, urologic, and hem-
atologic diseases’’ and inserting ‘‘kidney, urologic, 
and hematologic diseases, and liver diseases’’. 
(c) DATA SYSTEMS AND INFORMATION CLEARING-
HOUSES.—Section 427 of the Public Health Service Act 
(42 U.S.C. 285c–1) is amended by adding at the end the 
following new subsection: 
‘‘(d) The Director of the Institute shall (1) establish 
the National Liver Diseases Data System for the collec-
tion, storage, analysis, retrieval, and dissemination of data 
derived from patient populations with liver diseases, in-
cluding, where possible, data involving general populations 
for the purpose of detection of individuals with a risk of 
developing liver diseases, and (2) establish the National 
Liver Diseases Information Clearinghouse to facilitate and 
enhance knowledge and understanding of liver diseases on 
the part of health professionals, patients, and the public 
through the effective dissemination of information.’’. 
(d) REESTABLISHMENT
OF LIVER DISEASE RE-
SEARCH BRANCH WITHIN DIVISION OF DIGESTIVE DIS-
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EASES
AND NUTRITION
AS DIVISION
OF LIVER DIS-
EASES.— 
(1) IN GENERAL.—The Liver Disease Research 
Branch within the Division of Digestive Diseases 
and Nutrition of the National Institute of Diabetes 
and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (referred to in 
this subsection as the ‘‘Liver Disease Research 
Branch’’) is hereby redesignated and promoted as 
the Division of Liver Diseases, which shall be within 
the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, 
Kidney, and Liver Diseases, as redesignated by sub-
section (a), as a separate division from the other di-
visions within such Institute. 
(2) DIVISION DIRECTOR.—Section 428 of the 
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c–2) is 
amended— 
(A) in the section heading, by striking 
‘‘DIVISION DIRECTORS FOR DIABETES, EN-
DOCRINOLOGY, 
AND
METABOLIC
DIS-
EASES, DIGESTIVE DISEASES AND NUTRI-
TION, AND KIDNEY, UROLOGIC, AND HEM-
ATOLOGIC DISEASES’’ and inserting ‘‘DIVI-
SION
DIRECTORS
FOR
DIABETES, ENDO-
CRINOLOGY, AND
METABOLIC
DISEASES, 
DIGESTIVE
DISEASES
AND
NUTRITION, 
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KIDNEY, UROLOGIC, AND
HEMATOLOGIC 
DISEASES, AND LIVER DISEASES’’; 
(B) in subsection (a)(1)— 
(i) in the matter preceding subpara-
graph (A), by striking ‘‘and a Division Di-
rector for Kidney, Urologic, and Hemato-
logic Diseases’’ and inserting ‘‘a Division 
Director for Kidney, Urologic, and Hem-
atologic Diseases, and a Division Director 
for Liver Diseases’’; and 
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking 
‘‘and kidney, urologic, and hematologic dis-
eases’’ and inserting ‘‘kidney, urologic, and 
hematologic diseases, and liver diseases’’; 
and 
(C) in subsection (b)— 
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph 
(1), by striking ‘‘and the Division Director 
for Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic 
Diseases’’ and inserting ‘‘the Division Di-
rector for Kidney, Urologic, and Hemato-
logic Diseases, and the Division Director 
for Liver Diseases’’; and 
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and 
kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases’’ 
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and inserting ‘‘kidney, urologic, and hem-
atologic diseases, and liver diseases’’. 
(3) TREATMENT OF DIRECTOR OF LIVER DIS-
EASE RESEARCH BRANCH.—The individual serving 
as the Director of the Liver Disease Research 
Branch as of the date of enactment of this Act may 
continue to serve as the Division Director for Liver 
Diseases commencing as of that date. 
(4) TRANSFER
OF
AUTHORITIES.—The Sec-
retary of Health and Human Services shall delegate 
to the Division Director for Liver Diseases all duties 
and authorities that were vested in the Director of 
the Liver Disease Research Branch as of the day be-
fore the date of enactment of this Act. 
(5) REFERENCES.—Any reference to the Liver 
Disease Research Branch, or the Director of the 
Liver Disease Research Branch, in any law, regula-
tion, document, record, or other paper of the United 
States shall be deemed to be a reference to the Divi-
sion of Liver Diseases, or the Division Director for 
Liver Diseases, respectively. 
(e) INTERAGENCY COORDINATING COMMITTEES.— 
Section 429(a) of the Public Health Service Act (42 
U.S.C. 285c–3(a)) is amended— 
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(1) in paragraph (1), by striking ‘‘and kidney, 
urologic, and hematologic diseases’’ and inserting 
‘‘kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, and 
liver diseases’’; and 
(2) in the matter following paragraph (2), by 
striking ‘‘and a Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic 
Diseases Coordinating Committee’’ and inserting ‘‘a 
Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases Coordi-
nating Committee, and a Liver Diseases Coordi-
nating Committee’’. 
(f) ADVISORY BOARDS.—Section 430 of the Public 
Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c–4) is amended— 
(1) in subsection (a), by striking ‘‘and the Na-
tional Kidney and Urologic Diseases Advisory 
Board’’ and inserting ‘‘the National Kidney and 
Urologic Diseases Advisory Board, and the Liver 
Diseases Advisory Board’’; and 
(2) in subsection (b)(2)(A)(i)— 
(A) by striking ‘‘the Director of the Na-
tional Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and 
Kidney Diseases’’ and inserting ‘‘the Director 
of the National Institute of Diabetes and Diges-
tive, Kidney, and Liver Diseases’’; and 
(B) by striking ‘‘and the Division Director 
of the National Institute of Diabetes and Diges-
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tive and Kidney Diseases’’ and inserting ‘‘and 
the Division Director of the National Institute 
of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver 
Diseases’’. 
(g) RESEARCH AND TRAINING CENTERS.—Section 
431 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c– 
5) is amended— 
(1) by redesignating subsection (e) as sub-
section (f); and 
(2) by inserting after subsection (d) the fol-
lowing new subsection: 
‘‘(e) The Director of the Institute shall provide for 
the development or substantial expansion of centers for 
research in liver diseases. Each center developed or ex-
panded under this subsection— 
‘‘(1) shall utilize the facilities of a single insti-
tution, or be formed from a consortium of cooper-
ating institutions, meeting such research qualifica-
tions as may be prescribed by the Secretary; 
‘‘(2) shall develop and conduct basic and clin-
ical research into the cause, diagnosis, early detec-
tion, prevention, control, and treatment of liver dis-
eases and related functional, congenital, metabolic, 
or other complications resulting from such diseases; 
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‘‘(3) shall encourage research into and pro-
grams for— 
‘‘(A) providing information for patients 
with such diseases and complications and the 
families of such patients, physicians and others 
who care for such patients, and the general 
public; 
‘‘(B) model programs for cost effective and 
preventive patient care; and 
‘‘(C) training physicians and scientists in 
research on such diseases and complications; 
and 
‘‘(4) may perform research and participate in 
epidemiological studies and data collection relevant 
to liver diseases in order to disseminate such re-
search, studies, and data to the health care profes-
sion and to the public.’’. 
(h) ADVISORY COUNCIL SUBCOMMITTEES.—Section 
432 of the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c– 
6) is amended— 
(1) by striking ‘‘and a subcommittee on kidney, 
urologic, and hematologic diseases’’ and inserting ‘‘a 
subcommittee on kidney, urologic, and hematologic 
diseases, and a subcommittee on liver diseases’’; and 
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(2) by striking ‘‘and kidney, urologic, and hem-
atologic diseases’’ and inserting ‘‘kidney, urologic, 
and hematologic diseases, and liver diseases’’. 
Æ 
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