Liver Capitol Hill Day 2011 

|

Eighteen AASLD members accompanied by slightly more representatives of patient advocacy groups participated in this year’s Liver Capitol Hill Day on April 6, 2011. Small lobbying teams met with 55 Representatives, Senators, and Capitol Hill staff. In a trying atmosphere with many distracted by the looming government shutdown, volunteers attempted to bring into focus the needs of liver disease patients and the physicians who treat them. The need to continue supporting liver research at the NIH and VA even in this era of budget cuts was conveyed to legislators. In addition, decision-makers were urged to support the President’s request in his FY12 budget for an increase in of $5.7 million for the CDC’s Division of Viral Hepatitis. The day’s lobbyists also advocated for the utilization of Public Health Prevention Fund to support viral hepatitis services such as testing and screening. Patient and physician lobbying teams were an effective way of making the case for replacing the sustainable growth formula with a reimbursement model based on research, team care, and patient access to both primary care physicians and specialists.

The following leave-behind materials are the positions for which Liver Capitol Hill Day participants lobbied.

• CDC’S DIVISION OF VIRAL HEPATITIS:CONGRESSIONAL ACTION NEEDED NOW TO AVERT HEALTH CRISIS
  
  
• CONGRESS MUST DEVELOP A SUSTAINABLE ALTERNATIVE TO MEDICARE FUNDING TO ENSURE PATIENT ACCESS TO APPROPRIATE QUALITY CARE
  
  
• LIVER DISEASE RESEARCH: THERE IS NO SUBSTITUTE