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Millions of hepatitis C patients at risk if Supreme Court cancels free preventative care, study finds

Experts highlight significant public health consequences of Kennedy v. Braidwood.
hepatitis C image
hepatitis C image

A new study published in Gastro Hep Advances underscores the potential risks for the 2 million Americans living with hepatitis C virus (HCV) if the Supreme Court overturns provisions of the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that mandate no-cost preventative services.

Key points:

  • More than 2 million Americans are currently living with hepatitis C, despite the availability of highly accurate screening tests and curative treatments. Alarmingly, HCV prevalence has more than doubled over the past decade and is projected to continue to rise.
  • HCV is curable, yet screening rates are low, especially among low-income populations, where people are five times more likely to have the virus.
  • Treatment with direct-acting antivirals leads to a cure in virtually all cases. Without treatment, patients are at high risk of developing cirrhosis and hepatocellular carcinoma.
  • Following the United States Preventive Services Task Force recommended one-time hepatitis C virus screening for all adults aged 18 and older in 2020, with no out-of-pocket costs under the Affordable Care Act, screening rates increased significantly. Among pregnant women, rates rose from 141 to 253 per 1,000 person-years, and among nonpregnant women, from 29 to 37 per 1,000 person-years. As a result of increased detection, the rate of reported acute HCV infections declined in 2022 for the first time in over a decade.

AGA is also deeply concerned about the impact of Kennedy v. Braidwood on colorectal cancer (CRC) screening and prevention. In 2025, more than 150,000 people will be diagnosed with CRC, and over 50,000 people will die from the disease. If we take a step backward and patients must pay for screening, we can expect to see a 5.1% increase in CRC incidence and a 9.1% increase in CRC mortality.

Contact for media: Annie Mehl, media@gastro.org, 301-272-0013

About the AGA Institute
The American Gastroenterological Association is the trusted voice of the GI community. Founded in 1897, AGA represents members from around the globe who are involved in all aspects of the science, practice, and advancement of gastroenterology. The AGA Institute administers the practice, research, and educational programs of the organization. www.gastro.org

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