Senator Hardiman offered the following resolution:

            Senate Resolution No. 141.

            A resolution proclaiming May 2006 as Hepatitis C Awareness Month in Michigan.

            Whereas, It is estimated that 4 million Americans and 180,000 Michigan residents have been infected with the hepatitis C virus (HCV); and

            Whereas, 75 to 85 percent of individuals infected with HCV go on to develop chronic infection, which can result in damage to the liver, end-stage liver disease, or death; and

            Whereas, It is estimated that treatment for HCV-infected patients will exceed $13 billion by the year 2019; and

            Whereas, Through treatment of the disease, approximately 50 percent of treated individuals may clear the virus from their body, and for others, risk of progression may be prevented or delayed through early detection and appropriate medical management; and

            Whereas, HCV is a blood-borne virus and infected individuals may transmit it to others through sexual contact, from mother to child during the birthing process, occupational exposure to blood, or through injection drug use; and

            Whereas, It is believed that the majority of people with HCV, including many infected through blood transfusions before 1992 or blood products produced before 1987, do not know they are infected, and many at high-risk for future infection are not aware of their risk and may not be knowledgeable about ways to prevent the spread of infection; and

            Whereas, Increased public awareness and education about HCV, and the provision of a continuum of hepatitis-related services including prevention programs and testing and medical management/treatment programs, are needed to ensure the best possible health outcomes for individuals already infected with HCV and to prevent new infections; now, therefore, be it

            Resolved by the Senate, That we hereby proclaim May 2006 as Hepatitis C Awareness Month in Michigan; and be it further

            Resolved, That a copy of this resolution be transmitted to the Michigan Hepatitis C Foundation as evidence of our support.