BILL ANALYSIS �
------------------------------------------------------------
|SENATE RULES COMMITTEE | SCR 75|
|Office of Senate Floor Analyses | |
|1020 N Street, Suite 524 | |
|(916) 651-1520 Fax: (916) | |
|327-4478 | |
------------------------------------------------------------
THIRD READING
Bill No: SCR 75
Author: Blakeslee (R)
Amended: As introduced
Vote: 21
SUBJECT : Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month
SOURCE : Author
DIGEST : This resolution declares the month of May 2012
to be Viral Hepatitis Awareness Month in California.
ANALYSIS :
Resolution findings:
1. Liver disease and liver cancer are among the eight most
common causes of death in California.
2. Hepatitis B and hepatitis C are the leading causes of
primary liver cancer, one of the most deadly forms of
cancer.
3. Hepatitis C is the most prevalent bloodborne disease in
the United States and in California.
4. While the numbers are understated due to inadequate
surveillance, public health experts estimate that more
than 450,000 Californians are chronically infected with
hepatitis C and 280,000 Californians are chronically
infected with hepatitis B.
CONTINUED
SCR 75
Page
2
5. An undetected and untreated hepatitis B or hepatitis C
infection can lead to disability or death.
6. The fatality rate has doubled for hepatitis C in
California since 2002.
7. The majority of California residents with chronic
hepatitis C infection and hepatitis B infection do not
know that they are infected and are, therefore, at a
higher risk of severe liver disease, liver cancer, or
liver failure.
8. Untreated hepatitis B and hepatitis C infections are
leading causes of liver failure requiring a liver
transplant.
9. There is a vaccine for the prevention of hepatitis B,
which is the first proven, low-cost vaccination against
any form of cancer made available to Americans.
10.The cost of hospitalizations for hepatitis B and
hepatitis C related liver cancer, liver disease, and
liver transplantation in 2010 exceeded $2 billion in
California, most of which was paid for by tax-supported,
public health insurers.
11.Experts estimate that the annual medical costs for
treating Americans with chronic hepatitis C infection
are expected to increase more than 2.5 times, from $30
billion to more than $85 billion over the next 20 years.
12.Hepatitis awareness education campaigns and accessible
screening for hepatitis B and hepatitis C, along with
appropriate treatment, can reduce the financial, as well
as physical and emotional, damage from hepatitis B and
hepatitis C viral infections to individuals and to our
community.
This resolution declares the month of May 2012 to be Viral
Hepatitis Awareness Month in California.
FISCAL EFFECT : Fiscal Com.: No
CONTINUED
SCR 75
Page
3
SUPPORT : (Verified 4/27/12)
AIDS Support Network, San Luis Obispo
C.O.R.E. Medical Clinic
Drug Abuse Alternatives Center
Harm Reduction Services
Hep C Meditations Project
Local Area Support for Hepatitis
Project Inform
Sacramento Recovery House
Sacramento Recovery House
San Francisco Hepatitis C Task Force
San Luis Obispo Prevention, Advocacy, and Care Consortium
CTW:do 4/30/12 Senate Floor Analyses
SUPPORT/OPPOSITION: SEE ABOVE
**** END ****
CONTINUED