Hepatitis C Support Group

Hepatitis C is a blood-borne viral disease which can cause liver inflammation, fibrosis, cirrhosis and liver cancer. The hepatitis C virus (HCV) is spread by blood-to-blood contact with an infected person's blood. Many people with HCV infection have no symptoms and are unaware of the need to seek treatment. Hepatitis C infects an estimated 150-200 million people worldwide.

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allaboutliving 03/31/2014

Next Thursday, April 3, 2014 from noon to 3 pm (EST) streaming online at www.hhs.gov/live the three-year update (2014-2016) of the Action Plan for the Prevention, Care and Treatment of Viral Hepatitis. The launch event will feature two panels governmental and community that will discuss, in practical terms, implementation challenges and opportunities as well as remarks by Assistant Secretary for Health Howard Koh, MD, MPH.

http://hcvadvocate.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/launch-of-updated-viral-hepatitis.html

catmagic 03/31/2014

Oh, I just saw this, aal. EXCELLENT!

It will be interesting, that's for sure.

allaboutliving 04/01/2014

I'll plan on watching & maybe participating if the community is allowed to ask questions. I really want to see this & maybe get some answers. Gonna bump it up for anyone else who might've missed it. Not much gets past you Cat.

WarriorGal 04/01/2014

Thanks for sharing...but you got my hopes up that there was an action plan for YOU and your treatment on April 3rd. Wishful thinking.

allaboutliving 04/02/2014

I am bumping this up again since this event is happening tomorrow & it could be important. Answers to some questions? Maybe? Hopefully?

catmagic 04/02/2014

Yes, BUMP THIS.
I will watch it - as long as my browser will allow me to.

allaboutliving 04/03/2014

I have been watching for the past hour. Welcome, Introductions & recognition to begin with. The key point that was underscored is that WE MUST MAKE MORE PEOPLE AWARE OF VIRAL HEPATITIS. "Our passion driving this : Break The Silence Once & For All". National testing day established for May 19. Brief mention of new drugs & talk of cure...drugs that are safe & quick. Increase patient awareness of their infection from 45% to 65% is one of the goals & reduce the number of new HCV infections by 25%. This is a 3 yr action plan to broaden the scope of the 2011 action plan. Awareness is great & important...yes. If 45% of us are aware of our dx but can't get our meds what happens when we increase awareness? Just saying....

Lost the stream so I'm going to try again.

allaboutliving 04/03/2014

Ok. What I took away from this 2nd hr. is the govt is looking to optimize health records. They intend to pilot links to new tools to make their goals accessible. A decision tool to determine correct patient to correct tx at correct time. Plan to share access of health care records across agencies & groups. Plan to implement new standard of care. Education efforts for providers, pharmacists, nurses as well as drs. Medicaid expansion. Expanded screening. Include State & local plus community to work toward Fed goals as well. They said they have a lot more work to do with new drugs in getting patient access & working on cost but will try to use the HIV model & should be able to get tx for the HCV infected community. A lot of attention on electronic medical records as well as Hep B.

I'm trying to digest how sharing electronic health records across agencies that include insurers, agencies & others who are not my care providers is In my best interest. They will have a significant say in what tx is right for me & when I can get it. I see it already happening in these ins. denials & off-label denials right now. I have to also say these posts I'm making are from my personal notes as I'm watching this live. I imagine there will be detailed updates on this seminar from various sources. They are recommending we look to HCVguidelines.org

catmagic 04/03/2014

THANK YOU for the summaries. I woke up really late, as I have been doing lately so missed the whole thing, being on Pacific Time right now (AZ doesn't change - always confusing).

allaboutliving 04/06/2014

Here's a summary of the 10 key points discussed by Dr. Koh during this seminar.

http://hepatitiscresearchandnewsupdates.blogspot.com.au/2014/04/hhs-dr-koh-releases-update-to-national.html

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