Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2015

Bill: 114-hr-1101
Sponsor: Rep. Guthrie, Brett [R-KY-2]
Introduced: 2015-02-26 in the House
Policy area: Health
Subjects: Cancer
Digestive and metabolic diseases
Health facilities and institutions
Health information and medical records
Health programs administration and funding
Health promotion and preventive care
Immunology and vaccination
Infectious and parasitic diseases
Medical education
Medical tests and diagnostic methods
Public-private cooperation
Veterans' medical care

Summary:
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: 

Viral Hepatitis Testing Act of 2015

 
Amends the Public Health Service Act to require the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) to carry out hepatitis B (HBV) and hepatitis C (HCV) virus infection surveillance, education, and testing programs.
 
Requires HHS to establish a national system regarding HBV and HCV infections, with its goals being to:
 
 
determine the prevalence of infections,
 
increase the number of individuals tested and made aware of their status,
 
develop and disseminate public information and education programs,
 
improve the training of health professionals, and
 
provide referrals for counseling and medical treatment and ensure the provision of follow-up services.
 
 
Directs HHS to determine the populations that are considered at high risk for HBV or HCV infection.
 
Requires HHS to develop benchmarks for activities conducted under the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care, & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis.
 
Directs HHS to establish and support public-private partnerships that facilitate HBV and HCV surveillance, education, screening, testing, and linkage to care programs.
 
Requires the Agency for Healthcare Research and Quality to convene the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force every three years to review its recommendation for HBV and HCV screening.
 
Directs the Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) to provide certain veterans with an HBV and HCV risk assessment, and, as needed, an evaluation and information regarding their need for treatment, vaccination, or other therapy.
 


Legislative actions:
action_date: 2015-03-13
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-02-27
text: Referred to the Subcommittee on Health.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Referred to the Committee on Energy and Commerce, and in addition to the Committee on Veterans' Affairs, for a period to be subsequently determined by the Speaker, in each case for consideration of such provisions as fall within the jurisdiction of the committee concerned.
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in House
action_date: 2015-02-26
text: Introduced in House