Assemblyman Zebrowski (D-New City) announced today that his Hepatitis C testing legislation (A.1286-A) has been signed by Governor Cuomo into law. Starting January 1, 2014, health care providers will be required to offer individuals born between 1945 and 1965 a one time Hepatitis C screening test. New York is the first state to mandate the offering of Hepatitis C testing to baby boomers.

In 2012, The Center for Disease Control (CDC) recommended that persons born between 1945 and 1965 get a one time Hepatitis C test. The CDC estimates that 1 out of 30 baby boomers have Hepatitis C, and as many as 75% of those are unaware they are infected. The CDC recommendations also estimate that 800,000 new cases of HCV could be diagnosed under the one time test and through improved medicine and new treatments; thousands of lives can be saved.

“I would like to thank Governor Cuomo for signing this monumental piece of legislation,” said Assemblyman Zebrowski. “This simple Hepatitis C test has the potential to help save thousands of lives, and prevent a major public health epidemic from developing.”

For the first time in 2007, deaths resulting from Hepatitis C complications (15,000) outnumbered deaths resulting from complications of HIV (12,700). It is estimated that anywhere between 3.5 and 5.3 million Americans are currently infected with Hepatitis C with the majority showing no symptoms. The CDC estimates that over 80% of new HCV infections are asymptomatic.

“New York is setting an example for responsible and proactive Hepatitis C policy. The unique asymptomatic nature of this disease requires an aggressive approach to expanded testing to those with the highest risk,” said Zebrowski.

Since the passage of the legislation, the U.S. Preventative Services Task Force (USPSTF) has changed the baby boomer testing recommendation from a grade C to B, ensuring that future healthcare insurance plans will cover the cost of testing. The Center for Medicare Services (CMS) has begun a proceeding, which is the first step in providing Hepatitis C testing coverage.

“This law will finally give Hepatitis C the attention it needs and deserves,” Zebrowski concluded. “The days in which this disease is shrouded in darkness are finally over.”