On Thursday, June 17, 2010, the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform held a hearing entitled, “Viral Hepatitis: The Secret Epidemic” to examine issues associated with the prevention, detection, and control of viral hepatitis, with a particular focus on the recent report of the Institute of Medicine entitled, “Hepatitis and Liver Cancer: A National Strategy for Prevention and Control of Hepatitis B and C.” The hearing took place at 10:00 a.m. in room 2154 Rayburn House Office Building.

The witnesses scheduled to testify included:

Panel I

The Honorable Henry C. "Hank" Johnson
Member of Congress

The Honorable Bill Cassidy
Member of Congress

The Honorable Mike Honda
Member of Congress

Panel II

Dr. Howard Koh, M.P.H.
Assistant Secretary for Health
United States Department of Health and Human Services

accompanied by:

Dr. John Ward
Director, Viral Hepatits Program
Centers for Disease Control and Prevention
National Center for HIV/AIDS, Viral Hepatitis, STD and TB Prevention

Panel III

Mr. Randy Mayer
Chief, Bureau of HIV, STD and Hepatitis
Iowa Department of Public Health (The Institute of Medicine)

Mr. Michael Ninburg
Executive Director
Hepatitis Education Project

Dr. Jeffrey Levi
Executive Director
Trust for America's Health

Mr. Rolf Joachim Benirschke
Former NFL Placekicker (San Diego Chargers) and Spokesperson for Hepatitis C Awareness

Documents and Links

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Opening Statement of Chairman Edolphus Towns

Prepared testimony of the Hon. Bill Cassidy

Prepared testimony of Dr. Howard Koh

Prepared testimony of Mr. Randy Mayer

Prepared testimony of Mr. Michale Ninburg

Prepared testimony of Dr. Jeffrey Levi

Prepared testimony of Mr. Rolf Joachim Benirschke