HB 1358 -- HEPATITIS C AWARENESS DAY

SPONSOR:  Portwood

COMMITTEE ACTION:  Voted "do pass by consent" by the Committee on
Health Care Policy by a vote of 10 to 0.

This bill requires the Governor to annually issue a proclamation
designating May 10 as "Hepatitis C Awareness Day" and
recommending that the day be observed through activities that
increase awareness, education, tolerance, and understanding of
hepatitis C.

FISCAL NOTE:  No impact on state funds in FY 2007, FY 2008, and
FY 2009.

PROPONENTS:  Supporters say that the bill is necessary to educate
the public on the dangers of hepatitis C.  With early detection,
a patient can be treated and usually prevent the development of
liver cancer.  Over 100,000 Missourians are currently infected,
with health care workers being highly at risk because the virus
can live on dry blood for a longer period of time.

Testifying for the bill were Representative Portwood; Katherine
Bryson; and Julie Naunheim-Hipps.

OPPONENTS:  There was no opposition voiced to the committee.

Dominic Lackey, Legislative Analyst

Missouri House of Representatives
93rd General Assembly, 2nd Regular Session
Last Updated November 29, 2006 at 9:43 am