This Hepatitis C virus (HCV) has been studied by our government for 25 to 50 years. Many of the infected persons are honorable veterans of these United States Armed Forces. Many veterans have received HCV from the Veterans Administration (VA), itself, over the years when they were given blood transfusions. The Veterans Administration has been following this HCV virus for years. Are you aware of that? Many persons infected with this virus find out after 15, to 20 years, that progressive damage has been done to their livers. The leading cause for liver transplants in America last year was due to the Hepatitis C virus (HCV). Studies done by Dr. Gary Roselle of the VA show that nearly 30% of all veterans tested at VA facilities during 1999 tested positive for HCV. Of that amount, nearly 63% are Vietnam Era Veterans.
Health care professionals know very little about this virus and how to care for patients diagnosed with it. Many educated persons have never even heard of HCV. How could this be Congressman? Why are millions sick and the government has reverted to "lifestyles and behaviors" as a defense of its own shortcomings concerning this public health crisis? Why has the "behavior" of the government not been responsible in this matter? What "lifestyles" do you expect middle class family and community people with HCV to be living, other than struggling for the American dream? What will be done?
This is a matter of life and death to me and many others like me in our Congressional District. What funding levels will you look to budget for in the coming years? Four to five times the budget for AIDS? What treatment options will be offered to persons like me with the Hepatitis C virus? Will you demand a full "lookback" into the blood supply to ensure that all infected persons are notified, and are not left to finding out on their own - after it is too late? Will you at least ensure that the VA will contact all those veterans that it has infected over the years? What about grant monies for community awareness and educational programs, like are needed here in our Congressional District?
I realize the entire House of Representatives, and one third of the Senate, is up for re-election this November. I plan on being very involved with following your position on HCV and our other leaders in the Congress and this government- concerning this life and death matter to me, and many other constituents from this Congressional District.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME HERE)
Registered Voter!
The virus attacks and will eventually destroy my liver. The leading cause of liver transplants last year was because of HCV. There are one million HIV persons in America today, there are almost five times that number of Hepatitis C suffers. There are 100-200 million persons infected world-wide with this virus. Many live here in our state. What is the State going to do about this? What is the State doing to assist infected persons like me? Many of these infected persons are veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. What will the state do to help these veterans? Veterans that number in the ten-of-thousands in our state alone? Recently, the Veterans Administration (VA) changed their policy for HCV veterans. Will the State do the same?
What information will be provided to the public and what resources will be committed to fight this ever growing health care problem?
What will be done to ensure that the Doctors that are licensed to practice medicine in this State are educated on this disease properly? Presently, very few Doctors know anything about this. Some Doctors are even advising people not to worry and come back in six months. That could be a death sentence to some. What precautions will you ensure are taken to assist in the education of health care professionals from this time forward?
I realize that there are no easy answers to difficult questions like these, however, if you can not answer these questions, who can?
I eagerly wait for your reply, there is not much time left before election day.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME HERE)
Registered Voter!
This letter is designed
for the State level of government, as is the sample letter to a Governor.
Kevin
The virus attacks, and will eventually destroy, my liver. The leading cause of liver transplants last year was because of HCV. There are one million HIV persons in America today, there are more than four times that number of Hepatitis C suffers! Did you know that? Many HCV sufferers live here in our State. What is the State going to do about this? What is the State doing to assist Hepatitis C infected persons like me? Many of these infected persons are honorable veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. What will the state do to help these veterans? Veterans that number in the ten-of-thousands in our state alone? Recently, the Veterans Administration (VA) and the Pentagon have changed their policies concerning HCV soldiers and veterans. Will the State now follow and do the same?
What information will be provided to the public and what resources will be committed to fight this ever growing health care problem? What monies will you look to budget for in the coming years? Four times the amount of money that is spent on AIDS?
What will be done to ensure that the Doctors that are licensed to practice medicine in this State are educated on this disease properly? Presently, very few Doctors know anything about this disorder. Some Doctors are even advising people not to worry and come back in six months. That could be a death sentence to some. What precautions will you ensure are taken to assist in the education of health care professionals from this time forward?
I realize that there are no easy answers to difficult questions like these, however if you can not answer these questions, then who can in our State?
I look to you for leadership in this "life and death" matter to me- and many other State residents. I will eagerly await your reply.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME HERE)
Registered Voter!
Dear Senator,
I am writing to ask for your assistance. I have been diagnosed with the Hepatitis C Virus (HCV) and have recently found out that at least 4 to 5 million other Americans are also infected with this deadly virus. I am advised that there is no cure and very little information available to person's infected with this disease. The only few possible treatments are experimental in nature, and also very costly.
The Hepatitis C virus (HCV) attacks, and will eventually destroy my liver. The leading cause of liver transplants last year in the United States was due to complications from HCV. There are one million HIV persons in America today, there are almost five times that number of Hepatitis C suffers like me. There are 150-200 million persons infected with this virus world-wide, and the numbers are growing daily. Many live here in our State. Senator, what are you going to do about this?
What is the U.S. Senate doing to assist infected persons like me? Many of these infected persons are honorable veterans of the U.S. Armed Forces. What will the Senate do to help these military veterans? Veterans that number in the ten-of-thousands in our State alone? Recently, the Pentagon and the Department of Veterans Affairs (DVA) changed their policy for HCV soldiers and veterans, respectively. Will the Senate do the same? Will you fight for veterans this time? Or will it be another Agent Orange, Gulf War Syndrome, Tuskeekee Airman, etc.. I believe you get my point! How many years have you served in the Senate? Why has this occurred and you have done nothing?
I am well aware that Federal legislation, and costly budgets, begin in the House of Representatives. However, The Senate has a say in the budget process when they either vote for it, against it, or to return it to the House of representatives for a compromised bill. Before it leaves the Senate for final passage, and the eventual signing into law by our President, you can insist on more funding for Hepatitis C. What information will be provided to the public and what resources will be committed to fight this ever growing health care problem from the stand point of your office and the United States Senate?
What will be done to ensure that the Doctors that are licensed to practice medicine in this State are educated on this disease properly? Presently, very few Doctors know much about this disease. This blame is to be placed squarely on the shoulders of the Centers for Disease Control (CDC) and Health and Human Services (HHS). Some Doctors are even advising people not to worry and come back in six months. That might be a death sentence to some infected with the virus for a long period of time. What precautions will you ensure are taken to assist in the education of health care professionals from this time forward? I realize that you are more involved in foreign affairs, however this nation needs a coordinated domestic and international approach and effort in order to deal with this problem. I am confident that we will be able to look to you, and the United States Senate for leadership.
I realize that there are no easy answers to difficult questions like these, however, if you can not answer these questions, who can?
I eagerly wait for your reply, there is not much time left before election day.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME HERE)
Registered Voter!
I realize there is not much you can do to assist or help me, and that is why I am writing to you. I have been involved on the internet recently and have found a wealth of information and support groups that are very helpful to families and people like myself. The largest problem we face, with this hepatitis C virus today, is a lack of knowledge and understanding about it by both the health care professionals and the victims it infects.
If there are any other persons that you are aware of, or become aware of, that are infected with this virus in our community then please feel free to refer them to me.
There is no need to fear me or my virus. The government assures us that the blood supply is now safe.
Sincerely,
(YOUR NAME HERE)
Community Member
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