Central Carolina Liver Associaton 

We encourage you to write to the Supporters of Original House Bill # 2832, an Act to Establish the Study Commission on Hepatitis C in North Carolina.

Dear Rep.

I want to thank you for your support of House Bill # 2832, An Act to extablish the Study Commisssion on Hepatitis C, introduced in the 2005-2006 legislatie session by Rep. Beverly Earle.  It is estimated that 4 million people in the U.S. are infected with Hepatitis C, nearly 5 times the number of those infected with HIV.  This estimate does not include the incarcerated, homeless or institutionalized.  Taking this into account, this estimate is believed to be just the tip of the iceberg.  The majority of those with chronic hepatitis C are unaware that they are infected because the disease leaves people asymptomatic until advanced liver damage has developed.  Without knowing they are infected, people with hepatitis C can unknowingly transmit the disease to others.

Hepatitis C, which is 3 times more prevalent among African Americans and much more aggressive in Latinos, is fast approaching an epidemic. Hepatitis C-related deaths and long-term medical complications are projected to increase dramatically by the year 2020: liver failure by 106%, liver cancer by 81%, and liver-related deaths by 180%.  Projected direct and indirect costs of the current hepatitis C epidemic, if left unchecked, will be over $85 billion for the years 2010-2019.

It is estimated that there are over 160,000 North Caroinians who have been infected with Hepatitis C.  Most are unaware of their infection and capable of spreading the disease to others.  Testing, conseling, and appropriate medical intervention are key factors in preventing and controlling new infections and in reducing the risks of debilitating and costly liver disease in those with chronic hepatitis C infection.  Already, the cost of treating those with hepatitis C-related liver disease is rapidly increasing in our state.  It is imperative that an infrastructure be in place in North Carolina to provide infected individuals the services they require.  House Bill # 2832 will provide the means to study the epidemic of hepatitis C in our state. Recommendations from the hepatitis C study commisssion can be the catalyst needed to address what is fast becoming a serious public health problem in our state.

We must act now.  I urge your continued support in resurrecting and passing House Bill # 2832 during this legislative session,

Your's truly,

You can link onto the email address directly below to current members of the NC House.  Copy and paste the letter on the left in your email.

Please note: These are Representative who have supported this Bill FOUR years ago, when it was first introduced. We need everyone's support, and encourage you to contact your local rep, if they are not listed below.

Rep. Beverly Earle (bill Sponsor)  Mecklenburg County

Rep. Alma Adams   Guilford County

Rep. Larry Bell    Sampson & Wayne Counties

Rep. Becky Carney   Mecklenburg County

Rep. Bill Faison    Orange & Caswell Counties

Rep. Rick Glazier   Cumberland County

Rep. Phillip Haire   Haywood, Macon, Swain & Jackson Counties

Rep. Marvin Lucas   Cumberland County

Rep. Joe Tolson   Edgecomb & Wilson Counties

Rep. William Wainwright   Craven & Lenoir Counties

Rep. Jennifer Weiss    Wake County