{"data":{"id":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-18-1001","jurisdiction":"us-md","citation":"Md. Code, Health - General § 18–1001","heading":"","body":"As funds are available, the Department shall:\n(1) Conduct a needs assessment to determine the incidence of the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus in the State;\n(2) Initiate a statewide public awareness campaign targeting vulnerable populations and health care providers in the State to urge hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus education and testing;\n(3) Coordinate with other units of State government, including the Department of Public Safety and Correctional Services and the Veterans’ Administration, to activate a hepatitis C virus plan for the education, testing, and treatment of the populations within the jurisdiction of the units;\n(4) Solicit funding from the private sector and units of federal, State, and local government for hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus outreach;\n(5) Provide funding for hepatitis C virus pilot programs, which may include programs in methadone clinics or programs for the Department of Correctional Services population;\n(6) Review and recommend initiatives to promote advocacy, education, physician outreach, and awareness of the hepatitis B virus and hepatitis C virus;\n(7) Assess the feasibility of creating a Hepatitis C Virus Administration in the Department and examine methods to maximize existing resources to raise awareness of the hepatitis C virus;\n(8) Implement the 2005 Report of the Hepatitis C Advisory Council;\n(9) Coordinate with the Maryland Office of Minority Health and Health Disparities to develop a hepatitis B virus plan and a hepatitis C virus plan for the education, testing, and treatment of high risk populations and ethnic and racial populations who are affected disproportionately by the hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses, including the Asian population and African immigrants;\n(10) Develop a plan to increase the availability of hepatitis B virus vaccinations in the State, in accordance with recommendations from the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention;\n(11) Develop recommendations to improve the awareness and the affordability of medications for treating the hepatitis C virus; and\n(12) Collaborate with the Maryland Insurance Administration to make recommendations regarding insurance coverage for the treatment of the hepatitis C virus.","path":["Article - Health - General"],"source_url":"https://mgaleg.maryland.gov/mgawebsite/Laws/StatuteText?article=ghg\u0026section=18-1001","current_through":"2026-01-01","vintage":"","retrieved_at":"2026-09-14T19:58:48Z","sha256":"16f4cacfbb32bb0d1dbf9b88a7e6b51a1a55e2a7f9ab21b2ad6d8bb3f4553b82","source_id":"us-md","stale":false,"prev":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-18-9a-04","next":"us-md/md.-code-health-general-18-1002"},"notice":"GroundRules: Original legal text. Not legal advice."}