World Hepatitis Day

Floor Speech

Mr. CASSIDY. I thank you.

Today is World Hepatitis Day. This has special meaning for me because I'm a liver doctor, and I've spent 20 years treating hepatitis patients. Three to four million Americans have hepatitis, and about two-thirds of those folks are baby boomers. Maybe it has special meaning for me because I'm a baby boomer, but it also includes firemen, those affected at birth, Vietnam veterans, and many others who are affected by this disease. Indeed, almost every person, almost every family is touched by someone who has liver diseases.

Every year in this country, thousands die from liver disease. We spend, roughly, $30 billion a year treating liver disease, and many more are frightened, even though they shouldn't be, because they know the terrible statistics I just cited. Hepatitis doesn't affect people at the end of life, but rather, it can affect people in the primes of their lives. When it does so, it potentially leaves behind orphans, widows and widowers.

The best of the American spirit is compassion. Public policy should reflect this compassion, and in this case, it will be for our friends, our families and, in my case, my patients touched by hepatitis. Today, on World Hepatitis Day, I ask that we, through public policy, pledge our compassion to those so affected.

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