SECOND REGULAR SESSION

House Concurrent Resolution No. 12

93RD GENERAL ASSEMBLY

4357L.01I

AN ACT

Relating to the designation of hepatitis C awareness day in Missouri.

Be it enacted by the General Assembly of the state of Missouri, as follows:

            Whereas, five million Americans have been infected with the Hepatitis C virus (HCV) according to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, which contributes to approximately 8,000 to 10,000 deaths each year; and

            Whereas, it is estimated that 130,000 Missourians are infected with HCV. Such number does not include incarcerated persons, homeless persons, hospitalized persons, active duty military personnel, nursing home residents, and illegal immigrants; and

            Whereas, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention has reported that HCV is associated with end stage liver disease and is the most frequent indication for liver transplantation among adults in the United States; and

            Whereas, HCV is spread five times more often than HIV, with many persons infected with HCV unaware because HCV is asymptomatic until advanced liver damage develops; and

            Whereas, each year 1% to 4% of persons infected with HCV will develop liver cancer. As the only cancer on the rise, the incidence of liver cancer has more than doubled and is expected to more than double again in the next decade; and

            Whereas, the HCV epidemic is expected to result in 3.1 million years of life lost by 2019 and, if left unchecked, the estimated costs to the United States to treat HCV will exceed $85 billion for the years 2010 to 2019; and

            Whereas, awareness of testing and counseling is critical to halting the spread of blood-born pathogens:

            Now, therefore, be it resolved that the members of the House of Representatives of the Ninety-third General Assembly, Second Regular Session, the Senate concurring therein, hereby designate the tenth day of May each year as "Hepatitis C Awareness Day" in Missouri and recommend to the people of Missouri that the day be appropriately observed through activities which will increase Hepatitis C awareness, education, tolerance, and understanding; and

            Be it further resolved that this resolution be sent to the Governor for his approval or rejection pursuant to the Missouri Constitution.