We are very busy at the State Capitol supporting two bills:  AB 1858 and SB 1029. Both bills have been sent to the Governor's desk. Now is the time to send your letters of support to encourage Governor Schwarzenegger to sign the bills. Visit the calls to action page for more details on how to weigh in on the bills. 

We hope you will continue to unite your voice with ours at the state and federal level as we continue to advocate for better policies to prevent and control viral hepatitis. To learn more about CalHEP, current calls to action, and membership, we encourage you to explore our website.

On July 30th, the Los Angeles Times Editorial Board expressed their support of SB 1029, to expand access to clean needles throughout California. In addition, the Oakland Tribune, Contra Costa Times, and TriValley Herald also ran an editorial in support of expanding access to clean needles. CalHEP is encouraged by the media support of the bills to more easily allow pharmacists to provide clean needles, to reduce the spread of Hepatitis C, as well as HIV.

CalHEP policy consultant, Glenn Backes, was quoted in stories that appeared in several media outlets in late July related to current syringe access bills. Links to the stories are available in our news section. 

At the 63rd Assembly held earlier this year, World Health Organization (WHO) member states adopted a resolution calling for the World Health Organization to develop a comprehensive approach to the prevention and control of hepatitis, based on an earlier report. Among other recommendations, the members designated July 28th as World Hepatitis Day in order to provide an opportunity for education and greater understanding of viral hepatitis as a global public health problem, and to stimulate the strengthening of preventive and control measures of this disease in Member States.

You are invited to participate in a free Webinar on Hepatitis Advocacy on August 5th, from 10 AM - 11 AM Pacific Time.