NVHR Update

Update 9/06

NVHR Board Meeting Workshop

September 11, 2006

Notes

Authorizing:

Recommendation 1:  Continue to use the HBV and HCV authorizing bills as education vehicles in the 110th Congress.

Recommendation 2:  Time and energy may be better spent on higher priority activities rather than the heavy lift of combining the two bills, determining the cosponsors and seeking its passage.

Appropriations:

Recommendation 3:  Seek report language in FY2007 appropriations endgame that directs the CDC Director to ensure that NIP conduct a consensus conference on the elimination of hepatitis A&B.  Funds for the conference cannot come out of DVH.  Simultaneous outreach to Mitch Cohen is recommended.

Recommendation 4:  Prioritize appropriations asks for FY2008.

Recommendation 5:  Support increased funding for DVH to support the work of the adult hepatitis coordinators to provide counseling and testing, support surveillance and other prevention activities.

Recommendation 6:  Support increased funding for adult HBV and HAV vaccine.  Recommend that NVHR participate in the AMA-sponsored immunization summit on vaccine financing.  Recommend NVHR liaise with other vaccine coalitions.   Appropriations Ranking Member Obey may be an ally in the area of adult vaccine.

Recommendation 7:  Target Labor-HHS Appropriations members first, then Members of the full Appropriations Committee, and then rank and file members to get hepatitis funding ask included in their program request letters.  Early February is the ideal time for these visits.  Materials and specific ask and report language must be developed by then.

Recommendation 8:  Work with HRSA, BPC to improve leadership and educate providers in managing and referring patients into care.  Assess if there is a funding ask related to care at this juncture.

Recommendation 9:  Weigh in prior to the release of the President’s budget.  The budget will set the stage for the appropriations process.  Meet with the Office of Management and Budget, Domestic Policy Council, and HHS.  Pursue Utah connections for possible headway with HHS.

Recommendation 10:  Meet with HCAP and others already engaged in hepatitis appropriations advocacy to learn what activities they are engaged in and learn from their experience.

Grassroots:

Recommendation 11:  Compile personal stories, particularly targeting persons in the district of Members on the Labor-HHS Appropriations Subcommittee.  Assign an NVHR point person for each target.

Recommendation 12:  No need to reinvent the grassroots wheel.  Inventory NVHR board members to determine what activities are already taking place and where coordination can occur.

Recommendation 13:  Support state level activities through “train the trainers” and advocacy resources on the NVHR website.

Leadership Development:

Recommendation 14:  Develop relationships with HHS and other administrative officials, not just Congress, CDC, and SAMHSA.

Media/Marketing/Branding:

Recommendation 15:  Brand the NVHR logo.  Create advocacy materials with the logo on it.  Consider co-branding opportunities. 

Recommendation 16:  Packaging of materials and asks should include cost-effectiveness and efficiency arguments.

Recommendation 17:  Consider liver cancer angle.  Outreach to transplant surgeons, ACS, and One Voice Against Cancer Coalition.

Recommendation 18:  Package adult vaccination effort as 5 to 8 year campaign to “finish the job” on a very successful vaccination campaign.

Recommendation 19:  Use the advocacy agenda to define what NVHR is about.