On June 4, 2025, the Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025/2026 (S.1941/H.R.9682) was introduced with bipartisan cosponsorship in both chambers. While this is the most comprehensive hepatitis C virus (HCV) specific bill ever introduced in Congress, it requires significant changes to be as effective as possible.

The bill would authorize HCV testing and treatment funding and for infrastructure to treat people where they access care. In addition to saving lives and moving the United States toward HCV elimination, the bill would save at least $6 billion by avoiding costly health care by preventing or delaying advanced liver disease, liver cancer, and transplants. However, the bill in its current form lacks a specific focus on the most affected HCV populations, including a plan to coordinate care for individuals leaving jails and prisons, and does not include any funding or strategy integrating harm reduction as HCV prevention. Notably, the Senate version of the bill includes Section 10, a dangerous provision excluding large groups of immigrants from the benefits of the bill. The House version represents a massive improvement by omitting Section 10, but still requires amended language to truly eliminate HCV in the United States.

TAG has developed this action alert to provide guidance on specific actions that you can take this month to help pass a comprehensive version of this bill. Some actions will take a few minutes and others will take longer. All of them will make a huge difference.

We are trying to get as many members of Congress as possible to cosponsor the bill. The more cosponsors, the greater the likelihood that the bill will come up for a vote and move through the process. Our goal in August is to reach as many elected officials as possible and urge them to cosponsor S.1941/H.R.9682 and demand necessary amendments to the bills.

Use your voice and tell your elected official to cosponsor the Cure Hepatitis C Act. TAG has written language so you can automatically write to your senator or congressperson. Simply fill out your information and submit your message. You are encouraged to personalize or add your own story, or simply submit the prewritten version. Every message counts!

Take Action During the August Recess:

The House and Senate are on their August recess until September 4th. This means they are back home in their states working in their district offices. Some of them will host town hall meetings with their constituents and/or participate in community events where you might have access to them. This is a great time to get messages to your Senators and Representatives when they are much more available. You can call your district office and ask if the senator/representative will be hosting any town halls or other local events during the August recess.

If they will, you can use the opportunity to urge them to cosponsor S.1941/H.R.9682. Prepare your talking points in advance. You will likely have no more than 30-60 seconds to deliver your remarks. Let them know that the bill is bipartisan and, most importantly, let them know why the bill is important to you.

A very effective way of advocating is by having a district visit with your elected officials or their staff. That allows you to have more time to discuss the bill and why they should support it. Below are some steps on how to schedule and facilitate a district visit.

• Call the district office. Identify as a constituent.
• Let them know you would like to schedule a district visit in August to talk about viral hepatitis legislation. They will let you know how to schedule a visit. You might have to email a scheduler or fill out a form on their website. If you don’t get a response, don’t give up. Sometimes it takes a few emails to get a meeting scheduled.
• The meeting can be in person in the district office or it can be virtual.

If the meeting is scheduled:

• Invite others to join you, including people who can also bring their personal stories and experiences.
• Prepare in advance and make sure everyone has a role in the meeting.
• Let us know if you have a meeting scheduled. We can help by providing talking points, background information, and a tips sheet on how to have a productive district visit. Contact Lizzy Lovinger, elizabeth.lovinger@treatmentactiongroup.org.

Thank you for taking action! Let us know that you’ve sent emails, participated in a town hall meeting, and/or held a district visit and any responses or questions you’ve received. Please share this alert widely and encourage others to make their voices heard.

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