Hepatitis Happenings and Updates
NASTAD Updates
August Break!
Workgroup calls and VLC sessions are on pause for the month of August. We look forward to seeing you all in September. Additionally, NASTAD offices are closed on Fridays in August. Hope you all take the time to enjoy the last few weeks of summer!
New Resource! Pharmacist Authority to Provide Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Testing, and Treatment Services
NASTAD recently released a resource “Pharmacist Authority to Provide Viral Hepatitis Prevention, Testing, and Treatment Services” highlighting the opportunities for pharmacists to engage in collaborative practice agreement to provide viral hepatitis vaccination, testing, and treatment services.
The brief covers the following topics:
- Viral Hepatitis in the United States
- Pharmacist Scope of Practice
- Collaborative Practice Agreements
- Reimbursement for Pharmacist Clinical Services
- Prior Authorization Requirements for Hepatitis C Treatment
340B Rebate Model Pilot Program and Public Comments
A Federal Register Notice (FRN) was issued by Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA), Office of Pharmacy Affairs (OPA) announcing the availability of a 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program as a voluntary mechanism for qualifying drug manufacturers to effectuate the 340B ceiling price on select drugs to all covered entities, and to collect comments on the structure and application process of the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. Ultimately, the “rebate models could fundamentally shift how the 340B Program has operated for over 30 years”. See the press release for more information.
OPA is seeking public comment on all aspects of this Notice and the 340B Rebate Model Pilot Program. Specifically, commenters are encouraged to include supporting data and sources underpinning any factual claims. Interested members of the public must submit comments on or before September 2, 2025. Please see the FRN for additional details.
NASTAD World Hepatitis Day 2025 Blog: Advancing a Cure to Protect the Next Generation
On World Hepatitis Day (July 28) NASTAD published a blog discussing the Cure Hepatitis C Act that is currently before Congress and reaffirming the importance of the hepatitis B birth dose, along with ways to bring awareness to viral hepatitis elimination efforts. The blog can be found here.
Viral Hepatitis Community Platform
Have you visited the Viral Hepatitis Community Platform SharePoint site recently? The site is frequently updated with resources, events and news from CDC DVH and NASTAD. The discussion board is a great place to ask questions of your colleagues and engage in discussions in real-time. The documents section contains important IVHSP materials, resources to support grant activities, and all the materials from NASTAD workgroups. Feel free to upload resources and your elimination plans to the corresponding folders. Please let us know if you have any trouble accessing the site or any of the features. And if you don’t currently have access to the site, please reach out to your project officer.
Upcoming NASTAD-led Workgroup Calls
September 2025 Workgroup Calls (You only need to register once for each workgroup. The Zoom link is for all calls. Workgroup slides and resources can be found on the Viral Hepatitis Community Platform SharePoint site. Additional information about the workgroups can be found after the break)
Bimonthly Hepatitis Workgroup: September 9, 2025 | Email hepatitis@NASTAD.org for registration
Rural/Low Morbidity Workgroup: September 11, 2025 | Registration
Corrections Workgroup: September 25, 2025 | Registration
Bimonthly Hepatitis Workgroup Calls
Bimonthly call to discuss recent hepatitis updates for health departments implementing viral hepatitis activities in their jurisdiction regardless of funding source. Each meeting includes updates on hepatitis advocacy and policy, and drug user health. Participants are encouraged to send in Hot Topics for discussion to hepatitis@NASTAD.org prior to the meeting. For meeting link, please email Zakiya Grubbs (zgrubbs@NASTAD.org) or Isabel Lechuga (rlechuga@NASTAD.org).
- Schedule: Bimonthly calls every second Tuesday from 3 - 4 PM ET
- Upcoming dates: September 9, November 18 (date change), 2025
- Intended audience: Closed to health department staff implementing viral hepatitis activities.
Newer Hepatitis Staff Calls
These calls are open to all new (or newish) hepatitis health department staff who started their roles and are interested in networking and learning more about what their peers are working on their respective jurisdictions. Attendees will have the opportunity to meet-and-greet others and familiarize themselves with NASTAD’s Newer Hepatitis Staff Toolkit. This workgroup is facilitated by HepTAC Advisory Committee member Chloé Manchester.
- Schedule: Quarterly calls from 3 - 4 PM ET
- Upcoming dates: October 2, 2025
- Intended audience: Newer hepatitis program staff (e.g. program coordinators, surveillance staff, etc.)
- Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/S1dulMzxQHyoSUZcGRBbLw
Telehealth Workgroup
To support viral hepatitis programs in sharing best practices in implementing a telehealth program within their jurisdiction. This workgroup is facilitated by HepTAC Advisory Committee member Heath Johnson (IA).
- Schedule: Quarterly calls from 3 - 4 PM ET
- Upcoming dates: October 16, 2025
- Intended audience: Health department staff seeking to or currently implementing a telehealth HCV treatment program through the health department or in collaboration with other healthcare providers.
- Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/7GPej_FlRquEF0wjHgj4Sg
Corrections Workgroup
To support jurisdictions in developing and fostering relationships with correctional partners to support outbreak response, increasing testing and access to hepatitis treatment; and to develop a resource repository for HDs to strengthen their response to viral hepatitis activities with their correctional partners. Facilitated by Chanel Epps (MO), HepTAC Advisory Committee member.
- Schedule: Quarterly calls from 3 - 4 PM ET
- Upcoming dates: September 25, November 13, 2025
- Intended audience: Viral hepatitis staff working with local and state corrections departments
- Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/l2Uke0fHQnS3Tl3tP2LZRA
Tribal/State Viral Hepatitis Collaboration Workgroup
The goal of this workgroup is to strengthen relationships between tribal nations and state health departments to support viral hepatitis elimination goals. Facilitated by Claire Erikson (ND), HepTAC Advisory Committee member.
- Schedule: Quarterly calls from 3 - 4 PM ET
- Upcoming dates: November 20, 2025
- Intended audience: Viral hepatitis program staff and tribal health liaisons
- Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/VzJd_m3gRX--V82HCNoDcg
Hepatitis C DIS/Linkage to Care Workgroup
This workgroup, led by Amelia Salmanson (UT), HepTAC Advisory Committee member, is a space to share best practices and learn from other jurisdictions about disease intervention specialists (DIS), linkage to care, and patient navigation. We will also be using this workgroup to discuss enhancing viral hepatitis case investigations/DIS.
- Schedule: Quarterly calls from 3 - 4 PM ET
- Upcoming dates: October 28, 2025
- Intended audience: Health department prevention and/or surveillance staff working on HCV linkage to care.
- Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/D1D5oziLROqBJSpQ6X5pIA
Rural/Low Morbidity Workgroup
To support viral hepatitis programs in addressing the unique challenges related to rurality, limited resources, and low morbidity. This workgroup is facilitated by HepTAC Advisory Committee members Chloe Manchester (ME) and Claire Erikson (ND).
- Schedule: Quarterly calls from 3 - 4 PM ET
- Upcoming dates: September 11, 2025
- Intended audience: Viral hepatitis health department staff that serve mostly rural populations and have resource and capacity limitations to providing services.
- Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/9gdgl0u4Qm-KTVYwEZuxng
Perinatal Surveillance and Case Management Workgroup
For jurisdictions looking to start or have previously established a perinatal hepatitis surveillance and case management program, this space is for sharing challenges and breakthroughs. Discussion topics include identifying cases within existing surveillance, developing a registry, infant follow-up testing and case management, and provider outreach. This workgroup is facilitated by HepTAC Advisory Committee member Heather Wingate (TN).
- Schedule: Quarterly calls at 3 - 4 PM ET
- Upcoming dates: October 23, 2025
- Intended audience: Health department prevention and/or surveillance staff working on perinatal hepatitis B and C surveillance and case management.
- Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/susOdVqUQsKcKKV3kxd0jA
Outbreak Detection Planning Work Group
Collaborative space for jurisdictions to discuss developing and implementing an outbreak response plan for Hepatitis A, B, and C. Jurisdictions can share best practices and outbreak response activities, including monitoring surveillance data to identify outbreaks. Facilitated by Justinian Wurtzel (IA), HepTAC Advisory Committee member.
- Schedule: Quarterly calls
- Upcoming dates: TBD
- Intended audience: Health department prevention and surveillance staff working on developing and implementing an outbreak response plan as a part of PS 21-2103 Component 1 grant activities.
- Registration: https://nastad.zoom.us/meeting/register/6x6Br6PeR02WC3FnI7HMaw
VLC Recordings/Upcoming Sessions
The VLC is a virtual learning community and training series designed to support viral hepatitis health department staff implement the viral hepatitis prevention and surveillance activities set forth in CDC’s Integrated Viral Hepatitis Surveillance and Prevention Funding for Health Departments (CDC-RFA-PS21-2103) and is open to all state, territorial, and local health departments.
VLC sessions are currently on pause. The last session was held on July 23, 2025, titled “HCV RNA POC testing: Initial implementation successes and challenges,” with presentation from Elizabeth Ohlsen, Alaska Department of Health and Jennifer Price, UCSF, moderated by Katie Burk, HepTAC Advisory Committee member.
Register here.
Please visit the VLC microsite for more information and to watch recordings from previous VLC sessions. Additionally, slides and resources are posted on the Viral Hepatitis Community Platform SharePoint.
Additional Updates
HepNET Leading with Lived Experience Webinar Series
Register today for the HepNET Leading with Lived Experience (LLE) webinar series taking place the first Wednesday of every month at 3 pm ET, here. HepNET’s Leading with Lived Experience consultants are individuals trained to provide technical assistance and capacity building to the learning communities through the lens of their lived expertise with viral hepatitis.
The Season Finale in September will feature Daniel Raymond with the National Viral Hepatitis Roundtable providing us an update on the State of Hepatitis C in the United States. Please Join the HepNET Network Wednesday, September 3, 2025, at 3 PM ET.
HepNET Networking Happy Hour | September 23, 2025 | Register Here
The HepNET Partner Team is pleased to present the HepNET Networking Happy Hour! These quarterly network calls provide the HepNET network members a chance to, quite literally, network! Network members will get the chance to hear about the exciting work their network colleagues are providing, as well as grouping together regionally and programmatically to strengthen partnerships over the HepNET network.
NASTAD Membership Directory Update
We are updating our membership directory to include both viral hepatitis prevention and surveillance points of contact. Please provide the contact information for your jurisdiction here, and review the current directory here. Thank you!
Hot Topics: HepTAC TA Requests
We have received a few TA requests, and we are requesting your assistance:
- Are jurisdictions seeing an increase in Medicare prior authorizations for HCV treatment? How are you working with plans to reduce the burden of prior authorizations?
- Examples of MOUs for community partners to support renting/leasing the HCV RNA POC machine.
If you have any information on the above TA requests, please email hepatitis@nastad.org. Thank you!
Note: Our team aims to send out a monthly newsletter to streamline hepatitis communications. If you know someone who would benefit from signing up for the monthly newsletter, please click here.
Partner Updates
HepVU and NASTAD: 2023 Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Status Report
This year marks the third year that HepVu and NASTAD have collaborated on the Viral Hepatitis Surveillance Status Report. The report highlights the state of health department viral hepatitis surveillance programs in 2023, with a look back on previous reports.
A few key findings:
- “In 2023, 88% of jurisdictions had at least one full-time employee (FTE) dedicated to viral hepatitis surveillance—a marked increase from previous years. However, jurisdictions reported needing an average of four FTEs to effectively meet surveillance demands, yet most only had one.
- Only 65% of jurisdictions produced any annual surveillance summaries for viral hepatitis.
- While over 80% were able to report case counts, very few (16% for Hepatitis B and 25% for Hepatitis C) produced prevalence estimates, underscoring a continued gap in capacity.”
Thank you all for your contributions to this report!
Resources
Tribal DIS Policy Development Guide
This developmental guide for Tribal Disease Intervention Specialists (tDIS) is intended to provide comprehensive guidance to tribal health clinics and/or public health programs establishing tDIS programs within their respective communities. This document serves as a roadmap for Tribal communities and has been adapted from the CDC Partner Services Operation Manual, the Oklahoma Department of Health DIS Guidelines and Partner Services Manual, and other Tribal Nation policies.
Webinars, Meetings, & Events
Upcoming Webinars
Practical Approaches to Adult-Dose Hepatitis B Vaccine Promotion in Newcomer Communities
August 20, 2025 at 1 PM ET |Registration
Federal and State Attacks on Vaccine Policy
August 28, 2025 at 1 pm ET | Registration
Strengthening Partnerships to End HIV and Hepatitis B in African Immigrant Communities: A NAIRHHA Day Virtual Briefing
September 9, 2025 at 4 pm ET | Registration
Archived Webinars
2023 Surveillance Status Report Public Briefing: YouTube | Slides
A Deep Dive Into the HCV Elimination Bill: How Communities Can Secure a Win
Recurring Meetings
CSTE Viral Hepatitis Subcommittee Meetings | First Thursday, every other month at 3 PM ET
The Viral Hepatitis Subcommittee holds regular conference calls and webinars to discuss current issues and overarching topics related to viral hepatitis surveillance, such as best practices and lessons learned across jurisdictions, policy around viral hepatitis surveillance, and analyzing viral hepatitis data. For more information, and how to become a member, click here.
Conferences/events (National & Local)
US Conference on HIV/AIDS
September 4-7, 2025 | Washington, DC
The 2025 U.S. Conference on HIV/AIDS will shine the light on people aging with HIV. It will be central to our program across plenaries, workshops, institutes, and other conference offerings, while also creating space for conversations about how aging with HIV affects each of us uniquely. NASTAD and the AIDS Institute will be facilitating an institute focused on hepatitis elimination. Registration can be found here.
2025 Hepatitis B Community Forum
September 8, 2025 | Virtual and Berlin, Germany
The 2025 Hepatitis B Community Forum will be a hybrid event held on Sept. 8 in Berlin, just prior to the opening of the International HBV Meeting. This unique, free event brings together scientists, public health professionals and people living with hepatitis B and D to exchange knowledge, share lived experiences and strengthen collaboration in the fight against HBV. Register here.
US Fast-Track Cities 2025 Summit
September 15-17, 2025 | New Orleans, LA
The Summit offers a forum for sharing practical strategies, lessons learned, and data-informed innovations that support local implementation of the EHE initiative. The program will emphasize evidence-based approaches to HIV prevention, care, and treatment that are responsive to evolving policy environments and fiscal conditions. More information can be found here.
INHSU Hepatitis C Intervention Symposia Series
October 3, 2025 | Phoenix, AZ | Registration
October 24, 2025 | Chicago, IL | Registration
November 2, 2025 | Baltimore, MD | Registration
November 7, 2025 | Washington, DC | Registration
In this free symposium series, you will learn practical strategies to enhance your HCV service delivery, including point-of-care testing, telehealth, integrated HCV care in Syringe Service Programs, peer support and care navigation, dried blood spot testing and more. Gain the tools to expand and elevate your HCV service delivery. This symposium is essential for professionals working with people who use drugs and committed to advancing HCV care. Register via the links above or reach out to info@inhsu.org with any questions.
AATOD 2025 Conference: The Evolving Field of Opioid Treatment
October 4-8, 2025 | Philadelphia, PA
AATOD proudly presents the world’s premier training conference event for the treatment of Opioid Use Disorder. The AATOD Conference is the largest gathering of the opioid treatment community. This conference brings innovative people together in a diverse array of forums and workshops. Hot Topic Roundtable discussions, inspirational plenary sessions, tours of programs, and exhibit booths with the latest technologies, science, and products that support our work are just a few of the activities that surely stimulated participant discussion, debate, and innovative ideas to share with our respective areas of work, our communities, and our treatment programs nationwide. NASTAD will be facilitating a session on Sunday, October 5, titled “Partnerships across viral hepatitis shareholders including people with lived experience.” More information can be found here.
The 13th International Conference on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users
October 14-17, 2025 | Cape Town, South Africa
Hosted by INHSU– the International Network on Health and Hepatitis in Substance Users – INHSU 2025 will welcome hundreds of attendees from across the globe, spanning sectors including harm reduction, infectious diseases, civil society, and drug policy. Registration information can be found here.
The Liver Meeting
November 7-11, 2025 | Washington, DC
Registration opens July 23, 2025. More information can be found here.
Hawai‘i Liver Summit 2025
December 6, 2025 | Honolulu, Hawai'i
This year’s theme is “The Future of Access,” which will feature real stories and cases of care and treatment access for liver diseases, including:
- viral hepatitis B and C;
- fatty liver (MASH/MASLD);
- liver cancer prevention;
- patient perspectives;
- artificial intelligence;
- LGBTQ+ and rural communities.
Register here.
Publications
Hepatitis C is a silent epidemic in the U.S. -- one small clinic is changing that (YouTube)