Leveraging the HIV Service System to Address Hepatitis C in DC

New tools to combat hepatitis C (HCV) have the potential to dramatically reduce the health burden of this silent epidemic. Recent changes to screening guidelines for hepatitis C, combined with new options for treatment of the disease and the expansion of access to prevention and care offered through the Affordable Care Act are changing the dynamic for how we view and address HCV. The changing HCV landscape is reflected in the recommendations contained within the updated Action Plan for the Prevention, Care & Treatment of Viral Hepatitis, released in April 2014 for 2014-2016.

Community partners are essential to the implementation of the updated Action Plan. The purpose of this event is for HIV service providers to increase their knowledge of HCV and discuss how they can utilize their existing structure to impact prevention, care and treatment of this silent epidemic. This event will identify the roles both medical and non-medical HIV providers can play along the continuum of HCV services.

Speakers for this event include:

Daniel Raymond, Policy Director

Harm Reduction Coalition

Topics to address: recent changes to the HCV screening guidelines, new treatment modalities, and how HIV service providers can get involved in HCV.

Michael Kharfen, Senior Deputy Director

HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis, STD & TB Administration (HAHSTA)

Topics to address: HAHSTA priorities and activities supporting HCV prevention, care, and treatment

Cavella Bishop, RN, MBA, CPHM, Program Manager

Department of Health Care Finance (DCHF)

Division of Clinician, Pharmacy, and Acute Provider Services

Topics to address: Provider reimbursement for HCV services, and coverage of treatment regimens.

Gidey Amare, RPh, MS, Pharmacist

Department of Health Care Finance (DCHF)

Division of Clinician, Pharmacy, and Acute Provider Services

Topics to address: Provider reimbursement for HCV services, and coverage of treatment regimen

Light refreshments will be provided. To register, click here.

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This event is part of the Capacity for Change series coordinated by Institute for Public Health Innovation and Washington AIDS Partnership. This series is designed to give HIV/AIDS service providers a forum to discuss key changes in the policy environment, and develop the capacity to navigate both health reform implementation and the shifts in HIV prevention and treatment strategies.