Indiana DOC officials estimate that approximately 1% of state inmates are HIV positive but do not know the exact number because Indiana does not have a mandatory testing law for inmates. Although a bill was passed by the state legislature last year that would require mandatory HIV and Hepatitis C Virus testing for all inmates, it was vetoed by the governor for budgetary reasons. This testing is estimated to cost $173,285 per year. HIV testing is available to inmates upon request. Experts recommend educating and counseling prisoners to be voluntarily tested for HIV and Hepatitis C Virus. (Indianapolis Star, 10/24/01)

A study reports that in 1997, hepatitis C cost the U.S. approximately $5.46 billion in medical costs, lost wages, and lost home production. Hepatitis C is the most common blood-borne infection in the U.S. These costs are on par with the cost of asthma in US for the same year ($5.8 billion). There are estimates that Hepatitis C Virus-related mortality could triple within the next twenty years, indicating that increased prevention, treatment, screening, and research are necessary. (Arch Int Med 2001; 161 (18): 2231-2237.)

The Massachusetts state legislature plans to cut a program that teaches physicians and others at risk for hepatitis C about the disease due to a budget impasse. Although the Massachusetts state senate set aside $3.9 million for the program for fiscal year 2002 (which began on July 1, 2001) the House did not allocate any funding. According to a policy issued by the governor's office, agencies are to operate on a lower budget. The program provided counseling and education for those at risk for contracting hepatitis C and raised awareness of people who were unaware they were infected with Hepatitis C Virus. The cuts will affect education programs but will have no effect on treatment funding. Approximately 110,000 people in Massachusetts are estimated to be infected with Hepatitis C Virus. (Boston Herald, 10/5/01)

http://www.thebody.com/hepp/nov01/news.html#indiana