Bipartisan Hepatitis C Elimination Bill Faces Senate Stalemate Over Budget Concerns
A bipartisan bill aimed at eliminating hepatitis C in the United States has stalled in the Senate due to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) cost estimate. The bill, introduced over a year ago, is spearheaded by Sen. Bill Cassidy, a liver doctor, and Sen. Chris Van Hollen. The CBO's cost estimate, which is higher than expected, is the primary obstacle. The bill proposes a national test-to-treat program focusing on populations less likely to receive care, such as incarcerated and low-income individuals. It includes a subscription model for purchasing hepatitis C treatments at a fixed price, inspired by successful models in Louisiana, Washington, and Texas. The CBO estimates the program could save $6.6 billion over a decade by preventing costly liver complications, but it requires an initial $10 billion investment. 
