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<section article="ghg" article_name="Health - General" number="18-1001" title_number="18" title_name="Disease Prevention" subtitle_number="10" subtitle_name="Hepatitis C Virus">
  <text>As funds are available, the Department shall:</text>
  <level label="1">
    <text>Conduct a needs assessment to determine the incidence of the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in the State;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="2">
    <text>Initiate a statewide public awareness campaign targeting vulnerable populations and health care providers in the State to urge hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus education and testing;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="3">
    <text>Coordinate with other units of State government, including the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Veterans’ Administration, to activate a hepatitis C virus plan for the education, testing, and treatment of the populations within the jurisdiction of the units;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="4">
    <text>Solicit funding from the private sector and units of federal, State, and local government for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus outreach;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="5">
    <text>Provide funding for hepatitis C virus pilot programs, which may include programs in methadone clinics or programs for the Department of Correctional Services population;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="6">
    <text>Review and recommend initiatives to promote advocacy, education, physician outreach, and awareness of the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="7">
    <text>Assess the feasibility of creating a Hepatitis C Virus Administration in the Department and examine methods to maximize existing resources to raise awareness of the hepatitis C virus;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="8">
    <text>Implement the 2005 Report of the Hepatitis C Advisory Council;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="9">
    <text>Coordinate with the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to develop a hepatitis B virus plan and a hepatitis C virus plan for the education, testing, and treatment of high risk populations and ethnic and racial populations who are affected disproportionately by the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, including the Asian population and African immigrants;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="10">
    <text>Develop a plan to increase the availability of hepatitis B virus vaccinations in the State, in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;</text>
  </level>
  <level label="11">
    <text>Develop recommendations to improve the awareness and the affordability of medications for treating the hepatitis C virus; and</text>
  </level>
  <level label="12">
    <text>Collaborate with the Maryland Insurance Administration to make recommendations regarding insurance coverage for the treatment of the hepatitis C virus.</text>
  </level>
</section>
