The Hepatitis B Coalition of Washington (HBCW), which is sponsored by International Community Health Services (ICHS), participated in the World Hepatitis B Day summit held from July 23 to 25 in Washington, D.C. The summit focused on innovative strategies for education, testing and linkage to care, as well as on national and global efforts to eliminate hepatitis b.

The trip was highlighted with a visit to the offices of U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D., Wash.) and Rep. Adam Smith (D., Wash.). Coalition members discussed how hepatitis B continues to impact communities and asked elected officials to join the Hepatitis B Caucus and support HR3016, known as the “Liver Act.” The legislation would authorize $100 million over five years for liver cancer prevention and awareness grants at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, and $45 million for hepatitis B and liver cancer research at the National Institutes of Health.