Policies and Guidelines
Various policies and guidelines from the federal government advance our work to achieve national viral hepatitis goals. Read more about key issues in viral hepatitis and related policies or guidelines.
Key Guidance from Federal Partners on Viral Hepatitis and Related Services
Hepatitis Prevention: Access to Sterile Syringes
Persons who inject drugs can substantially reduce their risk of getting and transmitting HIV, viral hepatitis and other blood borne infections by using a sterile needle and syringe for every injection.
- The Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2016 includes language in Division H, Sec. 520 that gives states and local communities, under limited circumstances, the opportunity to use federal funds to support certain components of SSPs.
- To support implementation of this change in law, in April 2016, HHS released guidance for state, local, tribal, and territorial health departments that will allow them to request permission to use federal funds to support SSPs. Federal funds can now be used to support a comprehensive set of services, but they cannot be used to purchase sterile needles or syringes for illegal drug injection.
- CDC Program Guidance for Implementing Certain Components of Syringe Services Programs, 2016 provides specific procedures for CDC-funded grantees.
- HRSA Specific Implementation Guidance to Support Certain Components of Syringe Services Programs, 2016 provides specific guidance for HRSA-funded grantees.
- Additional information about access to sterile syringes.
Hepatitis B and Hepatitis C Testing Guidance
- CDC Hepatitis B Testing Recommendations (Summary Table)
- CDC Hepatitis C Testing Recommendations
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation to screen persons at high risk for hepatitis B infection.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation to screen pregnant women for hepatitis B infection.
- U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendation to screen all adults aged 18 – 79.
- Department of Veterans Affairs’ Viral Hepatitis for Health Care Providers includes information on A, B, and C screening and treatment.
- HRSA/Bureau of Primary Health Care Hepatitis: Action Steps and Guidelines for Health Centers includes information on viral hepatitis screening, vaccination, and care and treatment.
Hepatitis C Treatment Guidance
- Center for Medicaid and CHIP Services Notice to State Medicaid Programs regarding Assuring Medicaid Beneficiaries Access to HCV Drugs. (November 2015)
- HRSA/Bureau of Primary Health Care Hepatitis: Action Steps and Guidelines for Health Centers includes information on viral hepatitis screening, vaccination, and care and treatment
- SAMHSA’s “Navigating HIV and Hepatitis C Treatment With Clients Seeking Mental Health Services.”
- Veterans Administration Expands Hepatitis C Drug Treatment. Related Hepatitis C Funding and Prioritization Status Update (February 2016)
- Department of Veterans Affairs’ Viral Hepatitis for Health Care Providers includes information on A, B, and C screening and treatment.
