Hepatitis C Elimination Coalition Applauds Senators Cassidy and Van Hollen for Introducing Historic Legislation to Eliminate Hepatitis C
June 4, 2025
(Washington, DC)—The Hepatitis C Elimination Coalition commends Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) for their bipartisan leadership in introducing the Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025, landmark legislation that lays the foundation for eliminating hepatitis C in the United States.
This bold proposal directs the Department of Health and Human Services to establish a national Hepatitis C Elimination Program, deploy a unified strategy to reach vulnerable populations, and implement a subscription model to deliver treatments that cure hepatitis C without cost-sharing to those most affected by the disease, including individuals in Medicaid, correctional facilities, Indian Health Service, and the uninsured. Originally pioneered in Louisiana, several states, including Washington and Texas, have adopted similar approaches and made a great deal of impact in reducing the number of people with hepatitis C. But the best way for this opportunity to reach all Americans is through a national program.
“This bill is the most significant federal action ever taken to end the hepatitis C epidemic in the U.S.,” said Tim Leshan, spokesperson for the Hepatitis C Elimination Coalition. “Senators Cassidy and Van Hollen have shown remarkable foresight in crafting a pragmatic, evidence-based plan that will save lives and save taxpayers money.”
Hepatitis C is a liver infection caused by the hepatitis C virus (HCV), which is spread primarily through contact with infected blood. While many people living with hepatitis C show no symptoms for years, the disease can cause severe liver damage, including cirrhosis and liver cancer, if left untreated. It is a major public health concern, particularly among underserved populations, due to persistent barriers to testing, diagnosis, and access to curative treatments. The disease contributes significantly to preventable deaths and health care costs nationwide.
The Congressional Budget Office has said the bill will save the federal government approximately $7 billion over 10 years due to reduced costs of treating people with complications from hepatitis C. This finding means that savings to federal expenditures in Medicare and Medicaid substantially exceed the $5.5 billion authorized in the bill for a subscription model and $4.2 billion to expand access to screening, treatment, and services to support hepatitis C elimination. The Legislation will also empower state and local public health systems, community health centers, opioid treatment programs, and correctional facilities to build lasting infrastructure, scale up existing prevention programs, and integrate hepatitis C services into their work.
According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), hepatitis C affects more than 2.4 million people – and as many as 4 million people – in the United States, many of whom remain undiagnosed or face barriers to treatment. If passed, this bill could make hepatitis C the first chronic infectious disease eliminated in our country. For every one million people cured of hepatitis C in the next ten years, 34,000 cases of liver cancer, 2,500 liver transplants, and 24,000 deaths can be prevented.
The Hepatitis C Elimination Coalition urges Congress to act swiftly to pass the Cure Hepatitis C Act.
“We look forward to working with Senators Cassidy and Van Hollen, Congressional Leadership, federal agencies, and public health leaders across the nation to ensure that no one is left behind in the fight against hepatitis C,” added Leshan.
The Hepatitis C Elimination Coalition held a special Congressional Briefing on the national effort to eliminate this devastating disease on Tuesday, June 10, from 10:00 AM – 11:30 AM ET.
About the Hepatitis C Elimination Coalition
The Coalition is a national alliance of patients, clinicians, advocates, and public health organizations committed to ending hepatitis C (See attached list of members).
Media Contact:
Tim Leshan, MPA
Chief External Relations and Advocacy Officer
Association of Schools and Programs of Public Health
tleshan@aspph.org
202-296-1099 ext. 132
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