[Congressional Bills 118th Congress]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
[H.R. 8601 Introduced in House (IH)]
<DOC>
118th CONGRESS
2d Session
H. R. 8601
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for and support liver
illness visibility, education, and research, and for other purposes.
_______________________________________________________________________
IN THE HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES
June 3, 2024
Ms. Velazquez (for herself, Mr. Bowman, Ms. Meng, Ms. Schakowsky, Ms.
Barragan, Ms. Jackson Lee, Mr. Grijalva, and Mr. Johnson of Georgia)
introduced the following bill; which was referred to the Committee on
Energy and Commerce
_______________________________________________________________________
A BILL
To amend the Public Health Service Act to provide for and support liver
illness visibility, education, and research, and for other purposes.
Be it enacted by the Senate and House of Representatives of the
United States of America in Congress assembled,
SECTION 1. SHORT TITLE.
This Act may be cited as the ``Liver Illness Visibility, Education,
and Research Act of 2024''.
SEC. 2. FINDINGS.
Congress finds the following:
(1) Liver cancer is among the leading causes of cancer
deaths globally.
(2) In 2023, approximately 41,630 people in the United
States were diagnosed with primary liver cancer, and
approximately 29,840 died from the disease.
(3) Liver cancer is a leading cause of cancer death among
the Asian-American, Pacific Islander, and Hispanic communities.
(4) The most vulnerable Asian-Americans are those who are
foreign-born, low-income, and living in ethnic enclaves.
(5) Asian and Pacific Islander men and women are more than
twice as likely to develop liver cancer compared to the non-
Hispanic White population.
(6) Among the Asian and Pacific Islander population, the
higher incidence rate of liver cancer is partially explained by
higher incidence rates of Hepatitis B and diabetes, which are
comorbidities shown to increase an individual's risk of
developing liver cancer.
(7) The most common causes of liver cancer include
Hepatitis B virus and Hepatitis C virus infection.
(8) Hepatitis B is a primary risk factor for developing
liver cancer, and 1 in 4 of those chronically infected with
hepatitis B develop cirrhosis, liver failure, or liver cancer.
(9) Half of all individuals with hepatitis B in the United
States are Asian-American or Pacific Islander, though this
group accounts for only 5 percent of the U.S. population.
(10) Among African immigrants in the United States, the
prevalence of hepatitis B infection is approximately 1 in 10,
and African immigrants make up 30 percent of those with chronic
hepatitis B infection in the United States.
(11) Among Hispanic/Latino communities, liver cancer
incidence and death rates are twice as high compared to the
non-Hispanic White population.
(12) Hispanics/Latinos are 60 percent more likely to die
from viral hepatitis than non-Hispanic Whites.
SEC. 3. LIVER CANCER AND DISEASE RESEARCH.
Subpart 1 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 285 et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
``SEC. 417H. LIVER CANCER AND DISEASE RESEARCH.
``(a) Expansion and Coordination of Activities.--The Director of
the Institute shall expand, intensify, and coordinate the activities of
the Institute with respect to research on liver cancer and other liver
diseases.
``(b) Programs for Liver Cancer.--In carrying out subsection (a),
the Director of the Institute shall--
``(1) provide for an expansion and intensification of the
conduct and support of--
``(A) basic research concerning the etiology and
causes of liver cancer;
``(B) clinical research and related activities
concerning the causes, prevention, detection, and
treatment of liver cancer;
``(C) control programs with respect to liver
cancer, in accordance with section 412, including
community-based programs designed to assist members of
medically underserved populations (including women),
low-income populations, or minority groups; and
``(D) information and education programs with
respect to liver cancer, in accordance with section
413;
``(2) issue targeted calls for proposals from research
scientists for purposes of funding priority areas of liver
cancer research;
``(3) establish a special emphasis panel (as defined by the
National Institutes of Health) to review any proposal submitted
pursuant to paragraph (2); and
``(4) based on reviews by the special emphasis panel under
paragraph (3), select which proposals to fund or support.
``(c) Inter-Institute Working Group.--The Director of the Institute
shall establish an inter-institute working group to coordinate research
agendas focused on finding better outcomes and cures for liver cancer
and other liver diseases, including hepatitis B.
``(d) Grants and Cooperative Agreements.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary may award grants and enter
into cooperative agreements with entities for the purpose of
expanding and supporting research on--
``(A) conditions known to increase an individual's
risk of developing a major liver disease, such as liver
cancer, hepatitis B, hepatitis C, nonalcoholic fatty
liver disease, and cirrhosis of the liver; and
``(B) opportunities for preventative and diagnostic
measures for such a disease, including the study of
molecular pathology and biomarkers for early detection
of such disease.
``(2) Experimental treatment and prevention.--In the case
of an entity that is a hospital or a health care facility, the
Secretary may award a grant or enter into a cooperative
agreement with such an entity for the purpose of supporting an
experimental treatment or prevention program for liver cancer
carried out by such entity.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--For purposes of
carrying out this subsection, there is authorized to be
appropriated $45,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2029. Any amounts appropriated under this paragraph shall
remain available until expended.''.
SEC. 4. LIVER CANCER AND DISEASE PREVENTION, AWARENESS, AND PATIENT
TRACKING GRANTS.
Subpart I of part D of title III of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 254b et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
``SEC. 330Q. LIVER CANCER AND DISEASE PREVENTION, AWARENESS, AND
PATIENT TRACKING GRANTS.
``(a) Prevention Initiative Grant Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, through the Director of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award
grants and enter into cooperative agreements with entities for
the purpose of expanding and supporting--
``(A) prevention activities (including providing
screenings, vaccinations, or other preventative
treatment) for conditions known to increase an
individual's risk of developing a major liver disease,
such as liver cancer, hepatitis B, hepatitis C,
nonalcoholic fatty liver disease, and cirrhosis of the
liver;
``(B) activities relating to surveillance,
diagnostics, and provision of guidance for individuals
at high risk for contracting liver cancer and other
liver diseases; and
``(C) a robust hepatitis surveillance
infrastructure to provide for timely and accurate
information regarding progress to eliminate viral
hepatitis.
``(2) Report.--An entity that receives a grant or
cooperative agreement under paragraph (1) shall submit to the
Secretary, at a time specified by the Secretary, a report
describing each activity carried out pursuant to such paragraph
and evaluating the effectiveness of such activity in promoting
prevention and treatment of liver cancer and other liver
diseases.
``(3) Authorization of appropriations.--For purposes of
carrying out this subsection, there is authorized to be
appropriated $90,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2029. Any amounts appropriated under this paragraph shall
remain available until expended and shall be used to supplement
and not supplant other Federal funds provided for activities
under this subsection.
``(b) Awareness Initiative Grant Program.--
``(1) In general.--The Secretary, through the Director of
the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, may award
grants to eligible entities for the purpose of raising
awareness for liver cancer and other liver diseases, which may
include the production, dissemination, and distribution of
informational materials targeted towards communities and
populations with a higher risk for developing liver cancer and
other liver diseases.
``(2) Eligible entities.--To be eligible to receive a grant
under paragraph (1), an entity shall submit to the Secretary an
application, at such time, in such manner, and containing such
information as the Secretary may require, including a
description of how the entity, in disseminating information on
liver cancer and other liver diseases pursuant to paragraph
(1), will--
``(A) with respect to any community or population,
consult with members of such community or population
and provide such information in a manner that is
culturally and linguistically appropriate for such
community or population;
``(B) highlight the range of treatments available
for liver cancer and other liver diseases;
``(C) integrate information on available hepatitis
B and hepatitis C testing programs into any liver
cancer presentations carried out by the entity; and
``(D) target communities and populations with a
higher risk for contracting liver cancer and other
liver diseases.
``(3) Preference.--In awarding grants under paragraph (1),
the Secretary shall give preference to entities that--
``(A) are, or work with, a Federally qualified
health center; or
``(B) are community-based organizations.
``(4) Report.--An entity that receives a grant under
paragraph (1) shall submit to the Secretary, at a time
specified by the Secretary, a report describing each activity
carried out pursuant to such paragraph and evaluating the
effectiveness of such activity in raising awareness for liver
cancer and other liver diseases.
``(5) Authorization of appropriations.--For purposes of
carrying out this subsection, there is authorized to be
appropriated $10,000,000 for each of fiscal years 2025 through
2029. Any amounts appropriated under this paragraph shall
remain available until expended and shall be used to supplement
and not supplant other Federal funds provided for activities
under this subsection.''.
SEC. 5. HEPATITIS B RESEARCH.
Subpart 3 of part C of title IV of the Public Health Service Act
(42 U.S.C. 285c et seq.) is amended by adding at the end the following
new section:
``SEC. 434B. HEPATITIS B.
``The Director of the Institute shall, in collaboration with the
Director of the National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases,
issue targeted calls for hepatitis B research proposals focused on key
research questions identified by the research community and discussed
in peer-reviewed research journal articles.''.
SEC. 6. CHANGES RELATING TO NATIONAL INSTITUTE OF DIABETES AND
DIGESTIVE AND KIDNEY DISEASES.
(a) Change of Name of National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive
and Kidney Diseases.--
(1) In general.--Subpart 3 of part C of title IV of the
Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c et seq.) is amended
in the subpart heading by striking ``National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases'' and inserting
``National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and
Liver Diseases''.
(2) Treatment of director of national institute of diabetes
and digestive and kidney diseases.--The individual serving as
the Director of the National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases as of the date of enactment of
this Act may continue to serve as the Director of the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver Diseases
commencing as of that date.
(3) References.--Any reference to the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, or the Director of
the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases, in any law, regulation, document, record, or other
paper of the United States shall be deemed to be a reference to
the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and
Liver Diseases, or the Director of the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver Diseases,
respectively.
(4) Conforming amendments.--
(A) Section 401(b)(3) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 281(b)(3)) is amended by striking ``The
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases.'' and inserting ``The National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver Diseases.''.
(B) Section 409A(a) of the Public Health Service
Act (42 U.S.C. 284e(a)) is amended by striking ``the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases'' and inserting ``the National Institute of
Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver Diseases''.
(b) Purpose of the Institute.--Section 426 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c) is amended--
(1) by striking ``National Institute of Diabetes and
Digestive and Kidney Diseases'' and inserting ``National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver
Diseases''; and
(2) by striking ``and kidney, urologic, and hematologic
diseases'' and inserting ``kidney, urologic, and hematologic
diseases, and liver diseases''.
(c) Data Systems and Information Clearinghouses.--Section 427 of
the Public Health Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c-1) is amended by adding
at the end the following new subsection:
``(d) The Director of the Institute shall (1) establish the
National Liver Diseases Data System for the collection, storage,
analysis, retrieval, and dissemination of data derived from patient
populations with liver diseases, including, where possible, data
involving general populations for the purpose of detection of
individuals with a risk of developing liver diseases, and (2) establish
the National Liver Diseases Information Clearinghouse to facilitate and
enhance knowledge and understanding of liver diseases on the part of
health professionals, patients, and the public through the effective
dissemination of information.''.
(d) Reestablishment of Liver Disease Research Branch Within
Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition as Division of Liver
Diseases.--
(1) In general.--The Liver Disease Research Branch within
the Division of Digestive Diseases and Nutrition of the
National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney
Diseases (referred to in this subsection as the ``Liver Disease
Research Branch'') is hereby redesignated and promoted as the
Division of Liver Diseases, which shall be within the National
Institute of Diabetes and Digestive, Kidney, and Liver
Diseases, as redesignated by subsection (a), as a separate
division from the other divisions within such Institute.
(2) Division director.--Section 428 of the Public Health
Service Act (42 U.S.C. 285c-2) is amended--
(A) in the section heading, by striking ``division
directors for diabetes, endocrinology, and metabolic
diseases, digestive diseases and nutrition, and kidney,
urologic, and hematologic diseases'' and inserting
``division directors for diabetes, endocrinology, and
metabolic diseases, digestive diseases and nutrition,
kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases, and liver
diseases'';
(B) in subsection (a)(1)--
(i) in the matter preceding subparagraph
(A), by striking ``and a Division Director for
Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases''
and inserting ``a Division Director for Kidney,
Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases, and a
Division Director for Liver Diseases''; and
(ii) in subparagraph (A), by striking ``and
kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases''
and inserting ``kidney, urologic, and
hematologic diseases, and liver diseases''; and
(C) in subsection (b)--
(i) in the matter preceding paragraph (1),
by striking ``and the Division Director for
Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases''
and inserting ``the Division Director for
Kidney, Urologic, and Hematologic Diseases, and
the Division Director for Liver Diseases''; and
(ii) in paragraph (1), by striking ``and
kidney, urologic, and hematologic diseases''
and inserting ``kidney, urologic, and
hematologic diseases, and liver diseases''.
(3) Treatment of director of liver disease research
branch.--The individual serving as the Director of the Liver
Disease Research Branch as of the date of enactment of this Act
may continue to serve as the Division Director fo