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BACKGROUND

As many as 4 million Americans have the hepatitis C virus (HCV) and the worldwide prevalence of HCV may be as high as 300 million people, more than four times that of HIV. Up to 85 percent of those infected eventually develop chronic liver infection, and up to 60 percent of those will develop chronic liver disease, including cirrhosis and liver failure. Among Americans 25 and older, chronic liver disease is one of the top 10 killers. As many as 10,000 Americans die from the disease each year. For these reasons the Green Party of New York State proposes that HCV be added to the following relevant portions of the GPUS platform (see underlined wording):

II. SOCIAL JUSTICE

F. Health Care

10. Medical research must be increased, and alternative therapies actively sought, to combat diseases and eliminate their causes, especially cancer and bloodborne diseases such as HIV/AIDS and Hepatitis C (HCV).

2. AIDS/HIV/HCV

We call for comprehensive, humane, and competent care of all people with AIDS/HIV/HCV.

An all-out campaign must be waged against AIDS, HIV and HCV. The AIDS epidemic of bloodborne disease has not been adequately addressed at the local, state, federal, or international levels. All people in all countries, including those with AIDS/HIV/HCV, have a right to medical care, protection from discrimination, and confidentiality.

Drug corporations have a strong profit motivation to make this disease a manageable one (like diabetes) with guaranteed sales of very expensive drugs, in the billions of dollars every year. Drug companies have not emphasized research that targets a cure. While new drugs have dramatically saved lives, many have side effects so debilitating that the quality of life is poor, if not intolerable during the extended lifetime of the patient. But even these need to be produced generically to stop the devastation resulting from corporate refusal to provide these drugs to the millions dying throughout the world who cannot afford these basic lifesaving drugs. Drug researchers should have a cure for AIDS/HIV/HCV as their ultimate goal.

The Green Party calls for:

1. Increased funding for AIDS/HIV/HCV education and patient care.
2. Increased funding for comprehensive sex education that includes AIDS/HIV/HCV education.
3. Increased funding for research focusing on a cure, methods of prevention, and on bolstering the immune system.
4. Improved technology, facilities, laboratories, researchers, staff and personnel to cure AIDS/HIV/HCV. A “Manhattan Project” for a cure is required.
5. Complete sharing of information between researchers, funding agencies (including corporations), and the public on AIDS/HIV/HCV before awarding the next research grant.
6. More research into better methods of prevention of HIV/HCV infection. While we support condom use, better condoms are also required. We support more vaccine research.
7. Equal access to AIDS/HIV/HCV education, treatment and medications for all affected. Accordingly, funding and accountability should be increased.
8. Allowing all prisoners affected with AIDS/HIV/HCV in all countries to have the same access as free citizens to education, treatment, preventive measures (including condom use), and medical care.
9. A uniform international definition of AIDS/HIV/HCV.
10. Protecting the confidentiality of all people diagnosed with AIDS/HIV/HCV or tested for HIV/HCV.
11. More careful and timely approval of effective AIDS/HIV/HCV drugs by the FDA.
12. Production of affordable and available versions of patented medicines in all countries.
13. Targeting the young for age-appropriate education about AIDS/HIV/HCV and appropriate methods of prevention. We support sex education and the distribution of condoms in schools.
14. Prevention awareness and access to condoms and microbicides to prevent the spread of AIDS/HIV/HCV. We condemn HIV/HCV-related discrimination.
15. Make drug treatment and other programs available for all addicts who seek help.
16. Expand clinical trials for treatments and vaccines.
17. Speed-up the FDA drug approval process.
18. Providing housing for homeless and poor people with AIDS/HIV/HCV.
19. Providing treatment for homeless people with AIDS/HIV/HCV.
20. Lifting the federal ban on needle exchanges and Ssupport for needle exchange programs and for programs to help drug addicts.
21. No mandatory screening for AIDS/HIV/HCV; anonymous screening must be available.
22. Lifting the ban prohibiting HIV positive people from entering the U.S. as visitors or as immigrants.