Annelise Hafer, Ass't to Congressman Strickland, 336 Cannon Building, Washington, DC 20515, 202-225-5705, annelise.hafer@mail.house.gov

Bill H.R. 1993 by Ted Strickland creates an Office of Correctional Health Care within the US Department of Health and Human Services. It will be for correctional officers and inmates, and will be similar to an office within the US Department of Education that focuses on correctional education. Prisons and jails are an appropriate place to engage the epidemic of Hepatitis C, HIV, TB and STDs. On any given day 33% of those infected with Hep C are living in a jail or prison. For that reason funding for treatment of Hepatitis C is through the Office and is authorized in the bill.

Learning Objectives:

• Participants will be able to identify the need for congressional action to promote public health in prison and the present efforts in the US House of Representatives.

Keywords: Human Rights, Health Promotion

Presenting author's disclosure statement:
I do not have any significant financial interest/arrangement or affiliation with any organization/institution whose products or services are being discussed in this session.