Smart Tools, Healthier Livers: How Digital Health Can Help You Take Control

Smart Tools, Healthier Livers: How Digital Health Can Help You Take Control

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Smart Tools, Healthier Livers: How Digital Health Can Help You Take Control

Whether you know it or not, your liver plays a central role in your health. It has over 500 functions in the body, including filtering toxins from the blood and helping manage levels of sugar and cholesterol in your blood.

Technology is changing how we manage our health, liver health included. Whether you are screening for or managing a chronic condition like metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (sometimes called “fatty liver disease”) or viral hepatitis or proactively protecting your liver health, many digital tools can help you stay informed, track your health, and manage your care – right from your phone or computer. Here are a few trusted, digital tools that can keep you in control of your health:

Patient Portals: Health Dashboard and Message System in Your Pocket

Patient portals (like MyChart) are secure, internet-based platforms provided by your hospital or clinic that allow you to access your electronic medical records, communicate with your healthcare providers, and manage your full care journey, from appointments to health information. Many patient portals allow you to:

  • Track lab results (like your liver enzyme levels)
  • Message your doctor or nurse
  • Request prescription refills
  • Schedule referred appointments with specialists
  • Book or adjust appointments
  • View appointment history

By staying on top of your lab results and follow-up appointments and consolidating your health information, you can help ensure that any liver issues are detected early and managed promptly. All the while, you and your care team have a complete picture of your health.

Educational Apps: Trusted Information at Your Fingertips

Not all information available on the internet is created equal. When navigating care for yourself or a loved one, it is easy to become overwhelmed by the deluge of information available.

Many clinics offer clinically vetted, evidence-based educational apps, whether within the patient portal or as standalone resources, corresponding to the risks or diagnoses you might have. One great example is the Hepatitis App, investigated in the “Health Within Reach” study. This app, designed specifically for and alongside Asian-American communities, offers culturally and linguistically appropriate videos about hepatitis B and the importance of immunization and screening. By providing targeted information to groups with heightened risk in patients’ native language, clinics were able to increase screening rates and provide needed treatment.

Ask your care team for resources, and look for apps created by government agencies, hospitals, universities, reputable nonprofit organizations, or public health organizations. Avoid anything that makes promises that sound too good to be true… like “detox your liver in 3 days.”

Medication & Wellness Trackers: Staying on Schedule

If you’ve been prescribed medication for liver disease and related conditions, or just need help remembering vitamins and supplements, several apps can send reminders, track doses, and organize your med list. Sometimes these features are integrated into your patient portal!

Lifestyle also plays a big role in liver health. Websites and apps that help you monitor your nutrition and movement, like Nutristyle or built-in apps like Apple Health and Google Fit, and others support goals like reducing sugar, maintaining a healthy weight, or limiting alcohol, all of which protect your liver.

Virtual Visits: Liver Care From Home

Telehealth lets you connect with liver specialists from the comfort of your home. For people in rural or underserved areas, without many clinics or specialists, this option can be especially helpful for follow-up visits and check-ins.

If you have a smartphone, tablet, or computer, ask your doctor’s office if telehealth is an option.

The Power of Connection: Online Support Communities

Liver disease is often stigmatized, which can be extremely isolating, but digital platforms make it easier to connect. Online communities can offer support, encouragement, and shared experiences. Peer support is shown to reduce isolation and increase motivation to take the steps necessary to promote your health!

If you’d like to be connected to an online community related to a diagnosis you have, please email our team at info@globalliver.org, and we can connect you to one of the groups that we trust.

Remember: As valuable as peer support can be in your health journey, it does not replace professional guidance. Always double check medical advice with your healthcare provider before making major changes.

A Word about the Digital Divide

Not everyone has equal access to the internet, devices, or tech know-how. Some people may not have internet at home, or may feel unsure about using apps and online portals. That’s completely understandable – and you’re not alone.

Your local library can help. Many offer free internet access, computer use, and even digital literacy classes. Some libraries have staff who can walk you through how to set up your patient portal or download a health app. Don’t be afraid to ask.

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Whether it’s signing up for your patient portal or downloading a trusted app, digital tools can help you stay on top of your liver health – and feel more in control of your care.

The statements and opinions presented in this blog post are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI®), its Board of Governors, or the Methodology Committee.

Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes with Steep Medicaid Cuts, Orphan Drug Exemption from Medicare Negotiation – Liver Health Policy Update

Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes with Steep Medicaid Cuts, Orphan Drug Exemption from Medicare Negotiation – Liver Health Policy Update

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Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes with Steep Medicaid Cuts, Orphan Drug Exemption from Medicare Negotiation

Congress passed H.R. 1 with the Vice President providing the tie-breaking vote in the Senate to pass the bill 51-50, the House passing the bill on July 3, and the President signing the bill into law on July 4.


Budget Reconciliation Passes – Medicaid Cuts Advance

Congress has officially achieved its goal of passing H.R. 1 by July 4. Alongside our partners at the Modern Medicaid Alliance (MMA), GLI had urged Congress to protect Medicaid. Democrats and 3 Republicans (Senators Tillis, Collins, and Paul) opposed the Senate bill, citing the cuts to Medicaid as the reason for their vote. For more information, click here for MMA’s letter and find a detailed analysis from Thorn Run Partners here.

GLI is primarily concerned about the impact on reducing enrollment in Medicaid, eliminating optional benefits, and increasing utilization management for prescription drugs due to reduced funding to states, as well as Exchange plans created by the Affordable Care Act. About 1.4 million of the 11.8 million projected to lose coverage are people without “satisfactory immigration status,” according to the Congressional Budget Office (CBO). More information can be found here.

  • Home and community-based services: Beginning July 1, 2028, states may request a new, separate HCBS waiver to cover those who do not meet the currently required institutional “level of care” determination. 
  • Community engagement requirements (known as “work requirements”): Beginning December 31, 2026, individuals would have to demonstrate compliance with community engagement activities as a condition of receiving Medicaid coverage, meaning in a month the individual: (1) works at least 80 hours; (2) completes at least 80 hours of community service; (3) participates in a work program for at least 80 hours; (4) is enrolled in an educational program for at least 40 hours; engages in any combination of these activities for at least 80 hours; or (5) has a monthly income that is not less than $580 (the applicable minimum wage requirement multiplied by 80 hours). A State may only impose community engagement requirements on certain individuals between the ages of 19 and 64, and the final bill excluded certain caregivers. According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, of non-disabled adults under 65 who rely on Medicaid, 92% are either working, caring for a family member, managing an illness or disability, or attending school. Nearly half of Medicaid beneficiaries who are employed work for small companies and are not eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance at their job, leaving Medicaid as one of their only coverage options. 
  • Cost-sharing requirements: The final bill requires Medicaid expansion enrollees to be subject to cost sharing, with certain limits for primary care and mental health.
  • Limits Use of Provider Taxes: Limits or ends the use of provider taxes by states that are used to increase amounts subject to a federal match.
  • End Increased FMAP for New Expansion States: The enhanced federal match (adding 5%) for states providing Medicaid to the expansion population, enacted March 2021 in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, will end. 
  • Payment Limit for Certain State-Directed Payments: State-directed payments to providers in states expanding Medicaid cannot exceed 100% of Medicare rates and other changes.
  • Undocumented immigrants: The bill would reduce federal Medicaid funding for states that provide coverage to undocumented immigrants, as well as impose certain penalties. 
  • Provisions to reduce fraud, verify enrollment: Provisions to reduce fraud and ensure proper enrollment are anticipated to create burdensome administrative requirements that make it difficult for eligible beneficiaries to achieve enrollment or increase state administrative costs, thereby forcing states to reduce benefits or slow down or deny enrollment to otherwise eligible beneficiaries. For example, the bill requires all 50 states and the District of Columbia to take steps to prevent individuals from being simultaneously enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP programs across multiple States and to redetermine eligibility every 6 months (instead of 12 months).

GLI supports provisions to address physician Medicare payments and to exclude orphan drugs (those treating rare diseases) from the Medicare Drug Negotiation Program, as was originally intended by Congress. We worked closely with legislative offices, the Save Rare Taskforce, and so many other advocates to educate and advocate on the critical nature of this provision, while ensuring it remained within the bill and top of mind for Congress. It is a priority for GLI to promote innovation for patients with rare diseases, many of which have no cure. 

While this achievement offers some hope, GLI remains concerned and attentive to the bill’s full effect on patients, particularly the impact on those in rural communities and hospitals. GLI will work collaboratively with our partners to protect patients with liver disease and liver cancer as states work with fewer dollars to provide care.


 

GLI Works With Congress to Protect and Advance Veterans’ Health

GLI, in close coordination with congressional staff, has worked tirelessly to ensure that veterans diagnosed with NASH/MASH have no barriers to their care and treatment. GLI and patients with liver disease are very concerned about the Veterans Affairs (VA) biopsy requirement, which is contrary to the label from the Food and Drug Administration and clinical guidelines. After extensive advocacy work, we are thrilled to see that the report accompanying the House version of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes language that advances GLI’s efforts to remove invasive biopsy requirements for veteran patients with a NASH/MASH diagnosis. We are extremely thankful to the members of Congress and staff who worked with us to make this happen. Check out the full statement here.

GLI Works With Congress To Protect Veterans Health (2)

As part of GLI’s Beyond the Biopsy initiative, GLI and its partners sent a letter to the VA. GLI and AASLD also sent a follow-up letter to the VA calling for coverage consistent with clinical guidelines. Most recently, GLI sent letters to commercial payers whose policies restricted access to care based on flawed criteria, including Select Health of Utah, BCBS of Mississippi, Elevance Health (Anthem/CarelonRx), and Excellus BCBS. 

We continue to encourage signatures here on a petition to all payers calling for coverage without biopsy for steatotic liver disease (SLD). GLI also urges advocates to contact their legislators to request the VA take steps to increase efforts to screen, diagnose, and treat veterans with MASH/NASH using non-invasive diagnostics and FDA-approved treatments, similar to Tricare, the Department of Defense’s (DoD) health program for active duty military members, their families, and retirees, and provide a briefing to the Committee on these efforts.


 

GLI Encourages Improved Patient Participation in Medicare Drug Price Negotiation Process to Protect Access

GLI staff and advocates participated in the most recent round of public engagement opportunities with CMS as part of the Initial Price Applicability Year (IPAY) 2026 round of Medicare Drug Price Negotiations as established by the Inflation Reduction Act. Advocates shared personal and community experiences with selected drugs to underscore the importance of access to personalized treatment that works for each patient. Following these events, GLI sent a letter to CMS encouraging this prioritization of patient input and requesting (1) improved processes for participation and (2) clarity on the impact of patient testimonies on final Maximum Fair Price (MFP) calculations. Read the letter here. GLI will continue to monitor the impacts of these negotiations to ensure that liver patients retain access to life-changing, life-saving treatments.


Budget Cuts to Health Programs Moving Through Appropriations Process

The White House released its preliminary fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget request, which outlined deep cuts to health and other non-defense discretionary programs, as well as disclosed more information about the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The request proposes to cut HHS by 26.2% to $93.8 billion from FY 2025 levels, to cut $18 billion for research at NIH, to cut $77 million from CDC as part of a consolidation of infectious disease funding including hepatitis C, and to “reform NIH and focus NIH research activities in line with the President’s commitment to MAHA, including consolidating multiple overlapping ill-focused programs into five new focus areas with associated spending reforms.” It specifically mentions a new National Institute on Body Systems Research, which the recently leaked FY 2026 passback budget (not the formally submitted budget) clarified to combine the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and a National Institute on Behavioral Health, which will combine the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Mental Health. It did not provide details on funding levels for these new institutes or the existing institutes and centers that will be retained. View additional details from AASLD here

The House of Representatives and the Senate have not yet finalized their appropriations bills, and the House has scheduled a hearing on July 21, 2025, on its upcoming Labor/HHS appropriations bill. The Senate has not yet scheduled a hearing. In the process, GLI will fight for liver disease programs to remain intact and fully funded.


Senators Cassidy and Van Hollen Introduce the Cure Hepatitis C Act

GLI proudly supports legislation (S. 1941) introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) aiming to implement a nationwide elimination program for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States. The bipartisan bill prioritizes patient health and safety, advances a national plan to eliminate hepatitis C, and seizes an opportunity to end a global health crisis through screening, diagnosis, and treatment. Since curative treatments became available over a decade ago, GLI has advocated for a national strategy to eliminate this now-treatable infectious disease. We look forward to working closely with Congress and the current administration to get it over the finish line. 

GLI’s statement can be found here. View AASLD’s action alert to help gather additional Senate co-sponsors.


The House and Senate Reintroduce TROA

GLI applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (S.1973/H.R.4231), most recently reintroduced in the House with 12 original sponsors (15 total) on the heels of Senate reintroduction by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM). Within both the political and scientific realms, there is growing recognition of obesity as a chronic disease and the need to address and treat obesity like any other chronic disease. A robust body of research demonstrates the connection between obesity and serious liver diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), making access to treatment a top priority for GLI and patients.

This bipartisan legislation would expand coverage of new health care specialists and chronic weight management medications for Medicare recipients. It will also work to mitigate the obesity epidemic by providing regular screenings.

GLI’s most recent statement can be found here.


Additional Bills GLI is Engaged With

GLI is closely monitoring the reintroduction of legislation that helps patients access and afford the health care they need. We will continue to update this list. A few bills reintroduced so far include:

  • Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection and Screening Act (H.R.842/S.339
    • Allows Medicare to cover simple blood tests to screen patients for cancer, leading to early diagnosis and treatment.
  • HELP Copays Act (S.864)
    • Requires health care insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to count payments they receive on a patient’s behalf, including payments from nonprofit organizations or drug manufacturers, toward the patient’s annual deductibles and out-of-pocket limit.
  • Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act (H.R.2484)
    • Allows Medicare patients to receive essential medications by mail or have caregivers and family members pick them up on their behalf. Reported favorably out of committee on April 29 in the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
  • Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act (S.526)
    • Bans deceptive and unfair pricing schemes, prohibits arbitrary clawbacks of payments made to pharmacies, and requires PBMs to report to the FTC on how much money they make through spread pricing and pharmacy fees.
  • Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act (H.R.1520/S. 1782)
    • Passed the House. Take action to support Senate passage here!
  • Living Donor Protection Act (S.1552)
    • Ensures living donors do not face discrimination from insurance companies, codifies Department of Labor (DOL) guidance that covers living donors under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the private and civil service, removes barriers to organ donation, etc.
  • Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care (S. 742,/H.R. 1509)
    • Improves children’s access to needed out-of-state health care by streamlining the Medicaid provider screening and enrollment process.

GLI to Host Quarterly Policy Update

Join Global Liver Institute for our upcoming Quarterly Policy Update, bringing together patients, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to discuss the latest developments in liver health policy. This session will highlight key updates in advocacy, research, and access efforts and explore opportunities for collaboration to improve outcomes across the liver health community. Topics will include updates on priority legislation, discussions surrounding the “Most Favored Nation” executive order, political landscape, and more.

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Upcoming dates:
Thursday, September 4, 2025 – 11AM – 12PM ET Register today
Monday, December 15, 2025 – 11AM – 12PM ET Register today


 

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Advancing Screening, Science & Advocacy – Fatty Liver Disease News

Advancing Screening, Science & Advocacy – Fatty Liver Disease News

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Advancing Screening, Science & Advocacy

A Note from the Director, Dr. Sharon H. Jaycox

Reflections on the American Diabetes Association (ADA) Scientific Sessions

I recently had the privilege of attending the ADA Scientific Sessions in Chicago. One of the key themes underscored throughout the conference was the critical need for collaboration between hepatology and endocrinology. This partnership highlights the importance of early screening in detecting and preventing fatty liver disease. By establishing screening modalities as a standard of care, and utilizing noninvasive methods such as the FIB-4 to estimate liver fibrosis, we could significantly reduce the prevalence of fatty liver disease and prevent its progression to more severe conditions, such as MASH.

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Another highlight of the event was hearing patient advocate Anthony Anderson during a fireside chat with ADA’s CEO, Chuck Henderson. Mr. Anderson, who has been managing his diabetes successfully for 25 years, delivered an inspiring and thought-provoking message. Anthony Anderson passionately urged men, particularly Black men, to visit their doctors regularly. Acknowledging the broken trust many feel in the healthcare system, he emphasized the need for patience, grace, and understanding to rebuild that trust. “Eventually,” he said, “a light bulb goes off.”

Anderson stressed the importance of partnerships with advocates like himself and the value of speaking up on one’s behalf. Reflecting on his diagnosis, he shared how he faced a pivotal decision: whether to live with the disease or let it dictate his fate. He chose to live—and to thrive—by making essential lifestyle changes.

He encouraged everyone to stop making excuses and instead use whatever tools and resources are available. While he acknowledged that his wealth and fame allowed him access to resources such as the gym, he also recognizes disease management is “about the changes you make,” Mr Anderson suggested making simple yet impactful choices like taking the stairs instead of relying on a gym membership.

Anthony Anderson’s story is a powerful reminder that meaningful change begins with personal commitment and advocacy, both for oneself and within the broader healthcare community.

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A Patient’s Perspective

Fatty Liver, No Warning: Jerry’s Story of Survival and Advocacy

In a feature story on The Educated Patient, Liver transplant recipient Jerry Rosenberg provides a thought-provoking and meaningful story of how he went from living an everyday life to discovering he had undiagnosed liver disease. Jerry, now a patient advocate, shares how he has taken this on as a mission to educate others on liver disease.

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Global Fatty Liver Day: an international Showcase

Global #FattyLiverDay was a Powerful Show of Global Collaboration and Commitment.

This year, over 120 partners from more than 60 countries and 29 endorsers helped raise awareness, host 85+ community events, share resources, and demonstrate why liver health matters to the world. Check out our “At a Glance” report for highlights and stay tuned for the full Global Fatty Liver Day 2025 report.

2025 GFLD At A Glance

 

Save the Date: Global Liver Institute’s Liver Health Symposium, Minnesota

Join us on September 20 in Minnesota for the Liver Health Symposium—a one-day, in-person event bringing together patients, caregivers, providers, and advocates to learn more about liver health.

With two tracks—one for the community and one for providers—this event offers education and powerful tools to prevent, detect, and treat liver disease. Whether you’re navigating liver health or leading care, the symposium connects you to the latest knowledge and a passionate community ready to make a difference.

LH Save The Date

 

Emerging Insights

GLI Works With Congress to Protect and Advance Veterans’ Health

GLI drafted language that was included in the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies report accompanying the House appropriations bill. GLI emphasizes that veterans should receive NASH/MASH care while not mandating a biopsy when less invasive technologies for diagnosis exist. The language can be found on page 36 of the report. Click here to read GLI’s Statement.

GLI Works With Congress To Protect Veterans Health (2)

 

No Safe Daily Alcohol Limit for Patients with Metabolic Liver Disease

A recent study conducted by the Clinic University Hospital of the INCLIVA Health Research Institute in Valencia, Spain, has revealed that even moderate levels of alcohol consumption in MASLD patients increase the odds of significant fibrosis and progression of disease. The research calls for an accurate assessment of alcohol consumption to effectively manage MASLD patients.

 


 

Major Progress in the Global Response to Liver Disease!
GLI CEO, Larry R. Holden, represents the patient voice as a co-author in a recent publication in Nature Medicine. This reflects collaborative efforts to unify and strengthen how we talk about and tackle MASLD worldwide, reaffirming GLI’s commitment to advancing liver health through science, advocacy, and policy.


 

⬇️ Tools and Resources ⬇️

ADA issues new MASLD Guidelines 

On May 28th, 2025, ADA released updated practice guidelines targeting clinicians who manage patients with diabetes, especially those at risk for metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD). The guidelines aim to empower primary care providers with tools to diagnose MASLD at an earlier stage and mitigate the progression to severe liver complications such as cirrhosis. The ADA emphasizes the critical need for frequent screening of patients with type 2 or prediabetes, as they are most vulnerable to MASLD due to the metabolic indications. The report also delves into several pivotal topics, including the rationale behind the recent changes in nomenclature, due in part by attempts to better classify and understand the disease spectrum, and the current epidemiological trends that highlight the rising prevalence of MASLD. The update serves as a beacon for clinicians to adopt a proactive stance in managing MASLD, ultimately aiming to improve the quality of life for millions of patients nationwide.


 

New – Is Your Liver Healthy? Fatty Liver Disease Risk Assessment Quiz
Take this quick, confidential quiz from Global Liver Institute to better understand your risk for fatty liver disease. In just a few minutes, you’ll gain valuable insights and learn whether it’s time to speak with your healthcare provider about your liver health.

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Dx Dialogues: Metabolic-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)

We’ve collaborated with Sharecare to create a MASH content destination center that provides healthcare providers with timely medical information, market trends, and more. 

Visit the resource center here for a video series with Dr. Nadege Gunn, where she explores the evolving landscape of diagnosing and managing MASH.

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Alcohol-Associated Liver Disease (ALD) Is On The Rise: What To Know

ALD is a preventable disease that is the most common cause of advanced hepatic disease. Rising global trends in alcohol consumption, driven by shifting societal attitudes, have contributed to a steady increase in ALD cases. To address this growing concern, the American Journal of Gastroenterology has recently released practice guidelines aimed at aiding healthcare providers in identifying and managing ALD effectively.


 

Upcoming Events


     

    GLI Supports the Bipartisan Reintroduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act

    GLI Supports the Bipartisan Reintroduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act

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    GLI Supports the Bipartisan Reintroduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act

    (Washington, D.C., July 8, 2025) Global Liver Institute (GLI) applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) in the U.S. House of Representatives last Friday after reintroduction in the Senate earlier this month. Sponsored by Representatives Mike Kelly (R-PA), Mariannette Miller-Meeks (R-IA), Dr. Raul Ruiz (D-CA), and Gwen Moore (D-WI) and Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM), this legislation would expand Medicare coverage for obesity care, recognizing that obesity is a chronic and treatable disease. Peer-reviewed research has shown a strong connection between obesity and serious liver diseases, such as metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH), formerly known as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH). Access to anti-obesity medications is a top priority for GLI and patients as a means to both treat and prevent liver diseases. 

    Over the last decade, TROA has consistently generated bipartisan support, reflecting a growing consensus among policymakers on the importance of addressing obesity as a chronic disease. With projections indicating that 1 in 4 individuals will be obese by 2035, it is critical that the nation adopts evidence-based, unbiased approaches to obesity that will also address MASH and related liver diseases to improve health outcomes for Americans. 

    The legislation modernizes policy by clarifying a longstanding statute and requires Medicare Part D to cover evidence-based obesity medications. Additionally, it improves access to intensive behavioral therapy (IBT) under Medicare Part B by expanding eligibility to a wider range of healthcare professionals. By broadening access to lifestyle-based interventions like IBT, TROA ensures that patients with obesity can receive comprehensive, multidisciplinary care.

    GLI continues to prioritize support and advocacy for patients with liver diseases, both in treatment and prevention.

    About Global Liver Institute 
    Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. GLI holds Platinum Transparency with Candid/GuideStar, is a member of the National Health Council, and serves as a Healthy People 2030 Champion. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube or visit www.globalliver.org.

    Treatment Strategies and Advancements in Testing – Liver Cancer News

    Treatment Strategies and Advancements in Testing – Liver Cancer News

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    Treatment Strategies and Advancements in Testing

    Global Liver Institute brings you key updates on emerging treatment strategies and advocacy efforts from global leaders like the World Hepatitis Alliance. In this issue, we offer new resources, a short quiz to see if your liver is healthy, explore promising early detection methods in Liquid Biopsy and Navigating Advanced HCC, and emphasize the importance of routine liver scanning for individuals with type 2 diabetes.


     

    New – Is Your Liver Healthy? Fatty Liver Disease Risk Assessment Quiz
    Take this quick, confidential quiz from Global Liver Institute to better understand your risk for fatty liver disease. In just a few minutes, you’ll gain valuable insights and learn whether it’s time to speak with your healthcare provider about your liver health.

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    Save the Date: Global Liver Institute’s Liver Health Symposium

    Join us on September 20 in Minnesota for the Liver Health Symposium—a one-day, in-person event bringing together patients, caregivers, providers, and advocates to learn more about liver health.

    With two tracks—one for the community and one for providers—this event offers education and powerful tools to prevent, detect, and treat liver disease. Whether you’re navigating liver health or leading care, the symposium connects you to the latest knowledge and a passionate community ready to make a difference.

    LH Save The Date

     

    “One Liver to Love” Campaign Wins Gold Aster Award
    We’re proud to announce that the One Liver to Love campaign, in collaboration with Blue Faery, and with the support of Eisai, has been awarded a Gold Aster Award for its engaging TikTok video series featuring Bruce Bower. This national recognition highlights excellence in healthcare marketing and honors the campaign’s creative approach to raising awareness about liver health and liver cancer prevention.


     

    LiverTox 

    LiverTox is a regularly updated database that offers accessible information on the diagnosis, frequency, clinical patterns, and management of liver injuries caused by prescription and over-the-counter medications, as well as selected herbal and dietary supplements. Widely used by physicians, patients, clinical academicians, and researchers, LiverTox is a key resource for understanding drug-induced liver injury.

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    Beating Cancer Through Hepatitis Elimination – Working Together to Reduce NCDs

    The projected liver cancer cases caused by hepatitis are expected to double by 2040. With Liver cancer being the third leading cause of cancer deaths globally and with most cases linked to viral hepatitis, the World Hepatitis Alliance (WHA) has released a white paper urging policymakers to progress the use of funded hepatitis testing and treatment. These tools exist, but the integration into cancer control strategies has been slow. WHA research has shown that 42% of people worldwide are unaware that viral hepatitis is the main cause of liver cancer. In order to reduce liver cancer cases and increase early diagnosis,  policy makers, and the general public, must be educated and take action to integrate hepatitis testing, treatment, and vaccination into funded national cancer programs.

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    Navigating Advanced HCC: Treatment Strategies Beyond Immunotherapy

    The modules by COR2ED provide insight into HCC strategies for both healthcare professionals and patients. Dr. Amit Singal and Assoc. Prof. Lorenza Rimassa described treatment strategies for patients that are ineligible for immunotherapy (IO) or those with progression of HCC passed IO. Patients can be ineligible for IO if they have an active auto-immune disease or prior liver transplantation. If this is the case the recommended first line treatment is using Tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs). For those who have progressed past 1st line treatment with advanced HCC are encouraged to join clinical trials or switch to TKIs or Anti-VEGFR 2. If the transition 2nd line therapy options such as sorafenib, lenvatinib, regorafenib, cabozantinib, and ramucirumab, can be considered after assessment from the care-team and patient.

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    Metabolic Dysfunction- Associated Steatotic Liver Disease (MASLD) in People With Diabetes: The Need for Screening and Early Intervention 

    MASLD, also known as non- alcoholic fatty liver disease, is often overlooked, especially in individuals with type 2 diabetes and obesity. While other diabetes related complications are routinely monitored, liver health is not, despite more than two-thirds of individuals with type 2 diabetes having liver steatosis. MASLD significantly increases the risk of serious liver conditions, yet awareness remains low among both patients and healthcare providers. Therefore, there needs to be more emphasis for routine screening and risk assessment of liver fibrosis in people with prediabetes and type 2 diabetes. 

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    British Health System Embraces Liquid Biopsy Cancer Testing
    Liquid Biopsy is an innovative cancer detection test that uses a vial of blood to identify the specific type of cancer a patient has. By analyzing fragments of tumor DNA circulating in the blood,  doctors can pinpoint genetic markers and tailor treatment to target a patient’s tumor. This technology has been adopted by England’s healthcare system, with applications in lung, breast, and liver cancer, saving an estimated $15 million in annual costs. As liquid biopsies continue to grow, the U.S. has also begun implementing liquid biopsy programs to improve early detection and personalized cancer care.


     

    Upcoming Events:


     

    For more information about the Liver Cancers Council or to learn more about joining, please visit https://globalliver.org/liver-cancers-council/ or email cancer@globalliver.org

    Global Research and Patient Priorities – Pediatric and Rare Liver Diseases News

    Global Research and Patient Priorities – Pediatric and Rare Liver Diseases News

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     Global Research and Patient Priorities

    Emphasizing the Importance of Using Patient-Reported Data at the DIA 2025 Conference, Washington, D.C.

    Kristin Hatcher, Director of GLI’s Pediatric and Rare Liver Disease Program, joined U.S. and global pharmaceutical leaders for a powerful discussion on gaps in drug development and the critical need to include lived patient experience in both rare and common diseases. She emphasized the value of real-world data, often captured by patients and caregivers, that is too often overlooked in clinical and research settings. The DIA 2025 conference provided an ideal platform to reinforce why patient-focused data and patient-reported outcomes must be central to the future of drug development.

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    Rare Diseases Spotlighted During the BIO 2025 International Convention, Boston, MA 

    Meaningful conversations took center stage at the BIO International Convention in Boston, MA, where patients, physicians, and biotechnology leaders united around a powerful message: “The world cannot wait.” Throughout the sessions, there was a strong focus on advancing rare disease policy, especially around the ORPHAN Cures Act and reforms to small molecule funding under the Inflation Reduction Act. Key highlights also included ongoing efforts to preserve priority review vouchers and critical tools to keep rare disease drug development moving forward. 

    Building on this momentum, FDA Commissioner Martin Makary emphasized innovative strategies to prioritize rare diseases while reducing duplication within the agency, aiming for a more collaborative and efficient approach and Amy Cornstock Rick, CDER’s Associate Director for Rare Disease Strategy reinforced that the Rare Innovation Hub will continue to guide drug development with one clear goal: ensuring patient voices remain at the heart of every conversation.

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    New – Is Your Liver Healthy? Fatty Liver Disease Risk Assessment Quiz
    Take this quick, confidential quiz from Global Liver Institute to better understand your risk for fatty liver disease. In just a few minutes, you’ll gain valuable insights and learn whether it’s time to speak with your healthcare provider about your liver health.

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    Save the Date: Global Liver Institute’s Liver Health Symposium, Minnesota

    Join us on September 20 in Bloomington, MN, for the Liver Health Symposium—a one-day, in-person event bringing together patients, caregivers, providers, and advocates to learn more about liver health.

    With two tracks—one for the community and one for providers—this event offers education and powerful tools to prevent, detect, and treat liver disease. Whether you’re navigating liver health or leading care, the symposium connects you to the latest knowledge and a passionate community ready to make a difference.

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    Barcelona Hospitals Lead Genomic Screening for Rare Diseases 

    Hospital Clínic Barcelona-IDIBAPS and Hospital Sant Joan de Déu are partnering with the CrinGenES project to screen newborns for up to 300 rare genetic diseases through genomic sequencing. With over 7,000 known rare diseases, this initiative could dramatically improve early diagnosis and outcomes. It’s important to note, the screening will focus on conditions that have available treatments, ensuring that babies diagnosed can be connected to care plans right away. 

    In addition to detection, the hospitals are actively working with researchers to enhance the interpretation of genetic variants and identify new biomarkers, advancing how these rare diseases are understood and managed. CrinGenES positions Europe as one of the key leaders in the future of genomic newborn screening and patient-centered innovation.

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    Linerixibat Accepted for Review to Treat PBC-Related Itch

    GSK’s first-in-class IBAT inhibitor, linerixibat, has been accepted for review by both the FDA and EMA, marking a promising step toward a new treatment option for patients with primary biliary cholangitis (PBC). For people living with PBC, the relentless itch of cholestatic pruritus can disrupt sleep, focus, and everyday life. Linerixibat isn’t a cure and it’s not the only therapy for itch, but it’s designed specifically for this symptom, offering hope to those who haven’t found relief elsewhere.


     

    Biomarin Launches Clinical Trial for Alpha-1 Liver Disease in ZZ and MZ/MASH Patients

    Biomarin has begun a Phase 1 clinical trial for BMN 349, a new treatment targeting adults with Alpha-1 antitrypsin deficiency (AATD) who have the PiZZ or PiMZ/MASH gene variants. This trial is recruiting participants across the United States and the United Kingdom.

    Currently, there are no approved treatments specifically for liver disease caused by AATD, so Biomarin’s work is an important step forward, especially as it addresses both lung and liver complications. The inclusion of MZ patients, who have often been overlooked in research, makes this study particularly noteworthy.


     

    Gene Therapy in Mouse Model Shows Promise for Treating Alagille Syndrome

    Alagille Syndrome is a rare genetic disorder that can affect multiple organs, including the liver, heart, eyes, skeleton, and kidneys. Today, the only long-term treatment option for severe liver damage caused by the condition is a transplant. But new research could change that. A team from Baylor College of Medicine, UMass Chan Medical School, and Cincinnati Children’s Hospital has used adeno-associated viral gene therapy in a mouse model to deliver a small RNA molecule that silences the Sox4 gene, one of the most common drivers of Alagille Syndrome. The results are striking: not only did liver health improve, but the treatment worked even in mice already showing liver damage. Even more promising, the gene therapy may not need to be repeated. While more research is needed before it reaches patients, this breakthrough highlights the growing potential of gene therapy to transform the future of rare liver disease treatments.


     

    New Treatment Shows Promise for Polycystic Liver Disease in Ongoing Study

    Researchers in Sweden have announced encouraging results from a Phase 2b study testing a new injectable treatment, CAM2029, for people living with polycystic liver disease (PLD). PLD is a rare condition where fluid-filled cysts form and grow throughout the liver, often leading to a swollen abdomen, pressure, and difficulty with daily activities. While it’s not always life-threatening, the impact on quality of life can be serious. The treatment, a long-acting version of octreotide given just under the skin, may help reduce liver size and cyst growth, potentially easing pain, discomfort, and other symptoms.


     

    Upcoming Events

     


     

    For more information about the Pediatric and Rare Liver Diseases Council or to learn more about joining, please visit our webpage or email pedsrare@globalliver.org.

    Culturally Relevant Tools to Increase Hepatitis B Screening in Asian American Communities

    Culturally Relevant Tools to Increase Hepatitis B Screening in Asian American Communities

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    Culturally Relevant Tools to Increase Hepatitis B Screening in Asian American Communities

    Infection with hepatitis B poses a serious risk to the health of many Americans – especially in certain groups with high risk, including Asian Americans and Asian-American immigrants. Research has found that, to support universal adult screening recommendations, culturally- and linguistically- appropriate educational tools can increase the rate of screening.

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    The Risks of Hepatitis B

    Hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection is a major global cause of chronic liver disease affecting up to 2.2 million Americans. Chronic HBV can progress to cirrhosis, hepatic decompensation, and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). Long-term suppression with antiviral treatment is the standard of care for patients meeting treatment criteria. These agents effectively reduce viral replication, mitigate hepatic inflammation and fibrosis progression, and lower the risk of transmission and hepatocellular carcinoma, though they require indefinite administration in most cases.

    While no curative therapy exists, HBV is vaccine-preventable. The HBV vaccine is >95% effective when administered at birth and maintains high efficacy in adults. Given the persistent burden of chronic infection and the absence of a cure, prevention through universal vaccination and early detection via HBsAg screening remains central to public health and clinical strategies. Unfortunately, an estimated 3 in 4 individuals chronically infected with HBV are not aware of the infection.

    Chronic HBV infection, especially when left untreated, is a major risk factor for HCC. Individuals with chronic, untreated HBV infection have a 10-25% lifetime risk of developing liver cancer. With a 5-year survival rate of 22%, liver cancer is one of the deadliest cancers in the country.

    Some populations have a higher endemic prevalence of HBV, and these communities carry a higher burden of both HBV infection and HCC. Asian Americans born outside of the U.S., for instance, are twice as likely as non-Hispanic whites to die from liver cancer. Screening is an important tool for all populations’ liver health, but even more so for communities with increased risk. CDC recommends screening all adults aged 18 and older for hepatitis B at least once in their lifetime using a triple panel test and additional screening for infants, pregnant women, and people at increased risk. To ensure increased access to testing, anyone who requests HBV testing should receive it regardless of disclosure of risk. 

    The Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommends hepatitis B (HepB) vaccination among all infants at birth, unvaccinated children younger than 19 years of age, adults aged 19–59 years, and adults aged 60 years and older with risk factors for hepatitis B or without identified risk factors but seeking protection.

    A Successful App-Based Intervention

    Despite this universal screening recommendation, rates for screening are below 50%, including among Asian-Americans. To bridge this gap, an interdisciplinary team from the University of California, San Francisco conducted a cluster-randomized clinical trial with 452 Asian American patients over 18 (mean age 57) at primary care locations with no prior HBV testing to evaluate the impacts of a culturally and linguistically appropriate education on viral hepatitis on discussion about and receipt of an HBV screening test.

    The intervention group received the Hepatitis App, which delivered interactive videos about viral hepatitis in English, Cantonese, Mandarin, or Vietnamese, compared with nutrition and physical activity education. The app included branching logic integrating a brief assessment, in-language video messages from a doctor based on patient responses, and a printout with sections of information for both the patient and provider based on the responses. It was well-liked by participants (80%). Both groups received a Provider Panel Notification. After 3 months, the intervention group was more likely to have discussed HBV with their provider (70% vs. 16%), had an HBV test ordered (44% vs. 10%), and received an HBV test (38% vs. 8%), with an odds ratio of 7.6 for test ordering and 7.5 for test receipt. The authors concluded that the app-based educational intervention was well-received by the cohort of primary care clinics.

    Findings in Context

    A few results point to the mechanism of success. Awareness of HBV transmission was higher in the intervention group, and a higher proportion of intervention participants strongly agreed that they felt more comfortable asking their provider for a hepatitis test. Most of the intervention group reported that they liked the Hepatitis App. Interactive, in-language applications focused on the patient were found to be impactful tools and valuable for patient-provider communication. Despite an older, majority-immigrant population, the app was effective in changing beliefs, attitudes, and behavior.

    Other studies have supported the idea that culturally appropriate interventions can promote health-seeking behaviors related to viral hepatitis B in Asian American communities. These studies include mass media campaigns, the use of community health workers, and small-group educational sessions in community churches. Similar success has been found in a study with West African faith-based communities.

    What Should a Clinic Do with These Findings?

      • Implement universal HBV screening protocols following CDC guidelines. Integration into HR systems can help prompt routine tests.
      • Combat stigma by offering hepatitis B testing to every adult who has an unknown HBV status, without inquiring about stigmatizing risk factors.
      • Adopt culturally and linguistically tailored digital tools (videos, apps, stories) to educate patients in the waiting room or at home. Consider collaborating with existing programs or with local community groups.
      • Incorporate notifications or alerts to inform eligible patients about available screenings.
      • Consider piloting low-cost, app-based interventions or options integrated to existing patient portals to empower your patient population to seek screening.

    The statements and opinions presented in this blog post are solely the responsibility of the author(s) and do not necessarily represent the views of the Patient-Centered Outcomes Research Institute® (PCORI®), its Board of Governors, or the Methodology Committee.

    GLI Supports the Bipartisan Reintroduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act

    Global Liver Institute Leads Efforts in Urging FDA to Recognize Patient-Defined Progress in Drug Development

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    Global Liver Institute Leads Efforts in Urging FDA to Recognize Patient-Defined Progress in Drug Development

    (Washington, D.C. June 24, 2025) – At the Global Liver Institute, we believe that it all starts with a patient because only they define what progress means to their lives. By elevating their lived experiences, we ensure that science, policy, and care move in the direction that matters most: toward earlier answers, more options, and a better standard of care.  

    Today, alongside fellow patient advocacy groups, we submitted patient experience insights to the FDA under the 21st Century Cures Act. Our message is clear: therapies that can prevent disease progression before transplant becomes the only option are urgently needed. From early diagnosis to stabilizing treatments, patients’ voices highlight what truly matters: fewer hospitalizations, more active days with family, and hope for the future. 

    We urge the FDA to recognize that halting or slowing damage—not just curing it—is a meaningful and lifesaving outcome. These lived experiences call for earlier access to treatments, shorter clinical trials, and greater regulatory flexibility to realize the patient-centered vision the Cures Act was designed to fulfill.

    Together, our voices are stronger. We call for deeper collaboration with the FDA to ensure these perspectives are not only heard but acted upon. A unified voice not only reinforces the urgency of our message but also demonstrates the strength and solidarity of the rare liver and lung disease community. Help us share this message across all of our channels and read our joint statement below.

    About Global Liver Institute 
    Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. GLI holds Platinum Transparency with Candid/GuideStar, is a member of the National Health Council, and serves as a Healthy People 2030 Champion. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube or visit www.globalliver.org.

    Budget Reconciliation Bill Passes with Steep Medicaid Cuts, Orphan Drug Exemption from Medicare Negotiation – Liver Health Policy Update

    TROA Reintroduced, Veterans Health Advances, Hep C Bill Introduced, and Senate Considers Medicaid Cuts – Liver Health Policy Update

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    TROA Reintroduced,  Veterans Health Advances, Hep C Bill Introduced, and Senate Considers Medicaid Cuts

    The House passed H.R. 1, the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act, sending the budget reconciliation package to the Senate.


    Budget Reconciliation Process Underway – Medicaid Remains on Chopping Block

    The House has officially achieved its goal of passing the One Big, Beautiful Bill Act by Memorial Day. While the House bill was developed through committee hearings, Senate Republicans are not expected to hold committee markups in the same way the House did, and a number of Senators are pushing back on key cuts made to programs such as Medicaid and SNAP. Instead, the Senate is negotiating directly with the House in coordination with the White House. These negotiations are already underway, and GLI has urged Congress to protect Medicaid. View more information here from our partners at Modern Medicaid Alliance. 

    GLI is primarily concerned about the impact on reducing enrollment in Medicaid, eliminating optional benefits and increasing utilization management for prescription drugs due to reduced funding to states, as well as Exchange plans created by the Affordable Care Act. The Congressional Budget Office (CBO) estimates that at least 11 million people will go uninsured, with more than 7.8 million of those individuals getting kicked off of Medicaid and millions more losing coverage through the Affordable Care Act marketplace. CBO provided the following information:

    • The expiration of the refundable tax credit under the Affordable Care Act (ACA) that assists eligible low to moderate-income individuals and families in affording health insurance purchased through the Health Insurance Marketplace (Exchange) will increase the number of people without health insurance by 4.2 million in 2034 relative to an estimate of a permanent extension of those credits. 
    • Finalizing the 2025 Marketplace Integrity and Affordability Rule, as proposed to restrict enrollment timelines and verify incomes, will increase the number of people without health insurance by 1.8 million in 2034.
    • The provisions related to Medicaid, as well as the marketplace provisions that extend beyond codifying the proposed rule, would increase the number of people without health insurance by at least 7.7 million in 2034. 

    Key Medicaid provisions in the House-passed bill, now to be considered by the Senate, that are expected to reduce enrollment and tighten state budgets include:

    • Community engagement requirements (known as “work requirements”): Beginning December 31, 2026, individuals would have to demonstrate compliance with community engagement activities as a condition of receiving Medicaid coverage, meaning in a month the individual: (1) works at least 80 hours; (2) completes at least 80 hours of community service; (3) participates in a work program for at least 80 hours; (4) is enrolled in an educational program for at least 40 hours; engages in any combination of these activities for at least 80 hours; or (5) the individual has a monthly income that is not less than $580 (the applicable minimum wage requirement multiplied by 80 hours). A State may only impose community engagement requirements on an individual who is: (1) aged 19-64, not pregnant, not eligible for or enrolled in Medicare, and not eligible for Medicaid under other mandatory groups; or (2) who is otherwise eligible to enroll in Medicaid under a waiver of the State plan that provides coverage equivalent to minimum essential coverage and who is aged 19-64, not pregnant, not eligible for or enrolled in Medicare, and is not otherwise eligible to enroll under the state plan or waiver.
      • According to the Kaiser Family Foundation, of non-disabled adults under 65 who rely on Medicaid, 92% are either working, caring for a family member, managing an illness or disability, or attending school. Nearly half of Medicaid beneficiaries who are employed work for small companies and are not eligible for employer-sponsored health insurance at their job, leaving Medicaid as one of their only coverage options. 
    • End Increased FMAP for New Expansion States: The enhanced federal match (adding 5%) for states providing Medicaid to the expansion population, enacted March 2021 in response to the COVID-19 epidemic, would end. 
    • Moratorium on New or Increased Provider Taxes: Prohibits states from receiving federal Medicaid matching funds for any new or increased provider taxes enacted after the bill’s passage, unless already authorized. 
    • Payment Limit for Certain State-Directed Payments: Directs HHS to revise a Medicaid managed care regulation so that state-directed payments to providers in Medicaid expansion states cannot exceed 100 percent of the equivalent Medicare published payment rate. Non-Medicaid expansion states would have a cap of 110 percent.
    • Undocumented immigrants: The bill would reduce federal Medicaid funding for states that provide coverage to undocumented immigrants, as well as impose certain penalties. More information is here.
    • Provisions to reduce fraud, verify enrollment: GLI is concerned that provisions to reduce fraud and ensure proper enrollment will create burdensome administrative requirements that make it difficult for eligible beneficiaries to achieve enrollment or increase state administrative costs, thereby forcing states to reduce benefits or slow down or deny enrollment to otherwise eligible beneficiaries. For example, the bill requires all 50 states and the District of Columbia to take steps to prevent individuals from being simultaneously enrolled in Medicaid and CHIP programs across multiple States, requires states to revalidate and screen providers more often, and to redetermine eligibility every 6 months (instead of 12 months).

    GLI supports provisions in the House-passed budget reconciliation to address physician Medicare payments and to exclude Orphan drugs from the Medicare Drug Negotiation Program, as was originally intended by Congress. 

    GLI will continue to urge the Senate to strike House-passed provisions that reduce access to health insurance and squeeze state Medicaid budgets.


     

    GLI Works With Congress to Protect and Advance Veterans’ Health

    GLI, in close coordination with congressional staff, has worked tirelessly to ensure that veterans diagnosed with NASH/MASH have no barriers to their care and treatment. GLI and patients with liver disease are very concerned about the Veterans Affairs (VA) biopsy requirement, which is contrary to the label from the Food and Drug Administration and clinical guidelines. After extensive advocacy work, we are thrilled to see that the report accompanying the House version of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes language that advances GLI’s efforts to remove invasive biopsy requirements for veteran patients with a NASH/MASH diagnosis. We are extremely thankful to the members of Congress and staff who worked with us to make this happen.

    Check out the full statement here.

    GLI Works With Congress To Protect Veterans Health (2)

    As part of GLI’s Beyond the Biopsy initiative, GLI and its partners sent a letter to the VA. GLI and AASLD also sent a follow-up letter to the VA calling for coverage consistent with clinical guidelines. Most recently, GLI sent letters to commercial payers whose policies restricted access to care based on flawed criteria.

    We continue to encourage signatures here on a petition to all payers calling for coverage without biopsy for steatotic liver disease (SLD). GLI also urges advocates to contact their legislators to request the VA take steps to increase efforts to screen, diagnose, and treat veterans with MASH/NASH using non-invasive diagnostics and FDA-approved treatments, similar to Tricare, the Department of Defense’s (DoD) health program for active duty military members, their families, and retirees, and provide a briefing to the Committee on these efforts.


    GLI Hosts a Policy Event on the Sidelines of WHA78, Featuring Representatives from 5 Health Ministries Across the World (Egypt, India, Mexico, Philippines, and Qatar), Geneva, Switzerland

    This policy event, co-hosted by Global Liver Institute (GLI), the European Association for the Study of the Liver (EASL), and the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and endorsed by over 20 international medical societies and organizations, served as a Call to Action for Member States and the World Health Organization (WHO) to:

    • Formally recognize Steatotic Liver Disease (SLD) as a core Non-communicable Disease (NCD), ensuring it is included alongside cardiovascular diseases, diabetes, obesity, and other major NCDs.
    • Expand public awareness campaigns to educate individuals on SLD risk factors and the importance of early detection and treatment.
    • Integrate SLD into NCD prevention programs, aligning efforts with existing public health initiatives that target obesity, lifestyle interventions, and metabolic health.
    • Support research and data collection to advance understanding of SLD’s epidemiology, prevention, and treatment.

    Additionally, during the event, the second edition of the Best Practices in Liver Health Policy report was released. This new edition features five new case studies from Brazil, Japan, Mexico, Spain, and Qatar that demonstrate the integration of liver health into clinical pathways and broader health frameworks.

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    U.S. Administrative Budget Cuts Health Programs

    The White House released its preliminary fiscal year (FY) 2026 budget request outlining deep cuts to health and other non-defense discretionary programs and more information about the reorganization of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS). The request proposes to cut HHS by 26.2% to $93.8 billion from FY 2025 levels. Congress will next review the proposal and determine next steps as part of the appropriations process. 

    The proposed budget requests $27 billion for research at the National Institutes of Health (NIH), a decrease of nearly $18 billion. Additionally, the budget “proposes to reform NIH and focus NIH research activities in line with the President’s commitment to MAHA, including consolidating multiple overlapping ill-focused programs into five new focus areas with associated spending reforms”. It specifically mentions a new National Institute on Body Systems Research, which the recently leaked FY 2026 pass back budget (not the formally submitted budget) clarified to combine the National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases, the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute, and the National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases, and a National Institute on Behavioral Health, which will combine the National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, the National Institute on Drug Abuse and the National Institute of Mental Health. It did not provide details on funding levels for these new institutes or the existing institutes and centers that will be retained. 

    Additionally, the budget proposes a $77 million cut to consolidate funding for infectious disease and opioids, viral hepatitis, sexually transmitted infections, and tuberculosis programs into one grant program, which would be funded at $300 million, at the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC).  For the CDC, the President requests $5.6 billion, a 18.3% decrease below current funding levels. Also of note, the budget includes $500 million to build on the work of the President’s Make America Healthy Again Commission.

    View additional details from AASLD here. GLI will fight for liver disease programs to remain intact and fully funded. 


    Senator Cassidy and Van Hollen Introduce the Cure Hepatitis C Act
    GLI proudly supports legislation (S. 1941) introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Chris Van Hollen (D-MD) aiming to implement a nationwide elimination program for the hepatitis C virus (HCV) in the United States. The bipartisan bill prioritizes patient health and safety, advances a national plan to eliminate hepatitis C, and seizes an opportunity to end a global health crisis through screening, diagnosis and treatment. Since curative treatments became available over a decade ago, GLI has advocated for a national strategy to eliminate this now treatable infectious disease. We look forward to working closely with Congress and the current administration to get it over the finish line. 

    GLI’s statement can be found here.


    Senator Cassidy Reintroduces TROA

    GLI applauds the reintroduction of the bipartisan Treat and Reduce Obesity Act, which was recently introduced by Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Ben Ray Luján (D-NM). Within both the political and scientific realms, there is growing recognition of obesity as a chronic disease and the need to address and treat obesity like any other chronic disease. A robust body of research demonstrates the connection between obesity and serious liver diseases, such as nonalcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH), making access to treatment a top priority for GLI and patients. 

    This bipartisan legislation would expand coverage of new health care specialists and chronic weight management medications for Medicare recipients. It will also work to mitigate the obesity epidemic by providing regular screenings.

    GLI’s statement can be found here.


    Administration Releases MAHA Report

    The President issued an Executive Order to create the Make America Healthy Again Commission, identifying the challenge of increasing rates of fatty liver disease among children. The resulting report, issued in May 2025, reiterated concerns about fatty liver disease, or MASLD. It identifies “four potential drivers behind the rise in childhood chronic disease that present the clearest opportunities for progress:

    • Poor Diet: The American diet has shifted dramatically toward ultra-processed foods (UPFs), leading to nutrient depletion, increased caloric intake, and exposure to harmful additives. Nearly 70% of children’s calories now come from UPFs, contributing to obesity, diabetes, and other chronic conditions.
    • Aggregation of Environmental Chemicals: Children are exposed to an increasing number of synthetic chemicals, some of which have been linked to developmental issues and chronic disease. The current regulatory framework should be continually evaluated to ensure that chemicals and other exposures do not interact to pose a threat to the health of our children.
    • Lack of Physical Activity and Chronic Stress: American children are experiencing unprecedented levels of inactivity, screen use, sleep deprivation, and chronic stress. These 5 factors significantly contribute to the rise in chronic diseases and mental health challenges. Overmedicalization: There is a concerning trend of overprescribing medications to children, often driven by conflicts of interest in medical research, regulation, and practice. This has led to unnecessary treatments and long-term health risks.”

    View the report here.


    GLI Asks Congress to Increase CDMRP Funding

    Alongside the Defense Health Research Consortium (DHRC) and affiliated organizations, GLI sent a letter to the House and Senate Appropriations Committees, asking Congress to increase funding for the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) at the Department of Defense (DoD) by at least 5 percent plus inflation in fiscal year 2026.

    The letter also asks Congress to “work expeditiously to restore through supplemental appropriations the $859 million in FY 2025 funding that was cut from the Congressionally Directed Medical Research Program (CDMRP) through the enactment of the Full-Year Continuing Appropriations and Extensions Act”.  The Continuing Resolution cut funding for CDMRP by 57 percent, and because these cuts were not evenly distributed across the program, many programs vital to warfighter health, such as cancer, received no funding for research grants in FY 2025.


    Additional Bills GLI is Engaged With

    GLI is closely monitoring the reintroduction of legislation that helps patients access and afford the health care they need. We will continue to update this list. A few bills reintroduced so far include:

    • Medicare Multi-Cancer Early Detection and Screening Act (H.R.842/S.339
      • Allows Medicare to cover simple blood tests to screen patients for cancer, leading to early diagnosis and treatment.
    • HELP Copays Act (S.864)
      • Requires health care insurers and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) to count payments they receive on a patient’s behalf – including payments from nonprofit organizations or drug manufacturers – toward the patient’s annual deductibles and out-of-pocket limit.
    • Seniors’ Access to Critical Medications Act (H.R.2484)
      • Allows Medicare patients to receive essential medications by mail or have caregivers and family members pick them up on their behalf. Reported favorably out of committee on April 29 in House Energy and Commerce Committee.
    • Pharmacy Benefit Manager (PBM) Transparency Act (S.526)
      • Bans deceptive and unfair pricing schemes, prohibits arbitrary clawbacks of payments made to pharmacies, and requires PBMs to report to the FTC on how much money they make through spread pricing and pharmacy fees.
    • ORPHAN Cures Act (H.R. 946)
      • Expands the Orphan Drug Exclusion in the Medicare Drug Negotiation Program to allow for the research and development of existing products that could help find treatments for the more than 95 percent of rare diseases without approved therapies. Learn more here.
    • Charlotte Woodward Organ Transplant Discrimination Prevention Act (H.R.1520, S. 1782
      • Reported favorably out of committee April 29 in House Energy and Commerce Committee – take action to support full passage here!
    • Living Donor Protection Act (S.1552)
      • Ensures living donors do not face discrimination from insurance companies, codifies Department of Labor (DOL) guidance that covers living donors under the Family Medical Leave Act (FMLA) in the private and civil service, removes barriers to organ donation, etc.
    • Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care (S. 742, H.R. 1509)
      • Improves children’s access to needed out-of-state health care by streamlining the Medicaid provider screening and enrollment process.

    GLI to Host Quarterly Policy Update

    Join Global Liver Institute for our upcoming Quarterly Policy Update, bringing together patients, clinicians, researchers, and industry partners to discuss the latest developments in liver health policy. This session will highlight key updates in advocacy, research, and access efforts and explore opportunities for collaboration to improve outcomes across the liver health community. Topics will include updates on priority legislation, discussions surrounding the “Most Favored Nation” executive order, political landscape, and more.

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    Upcoming dates:
    Thursday, June 26, 2025 – 11AM – 12PM ET
    Thursday, September 4, 2025 – 11AM – 12PM ET
    Monday, December 15, 2025 – 11AM – 12PM ET

    Register today: https://us06web.zoom.us/meeting/register/8iwN4O_YTwy2g5w7cuIxNQ


     

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    GLI Supports the Bipartisan Reintroduction of the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act

    GLI Works With Congress to Protect Veterans’ Health

    2024 CMYK White Gli Logo

    GLI Works With Congress to Protect Veterans’ Health

    (Washington, D.C., June 11, 2025) Global Liver Institute (GLI), in close coordination with congressional staff, has worked tirelessly to ensure that veterans diagnosed with NASH/MASH have no barriers to their care and treatment. GLI and patients with liver disease are very concerned about the Veterans Affairs (VA) biopsy requirement, and we are thrilled to see that after consistent discussions and advocacy, both the House and Senate version of the Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, and Related Agencies Appropriations Act includes language that advances GLI’s efforts to remove invasive biopsy requirements for veteran patients with a NASH/MASH diagnosis. We are extremely thankful to the members of Congress and staff who worked with us to make this happen. 

    Despite the Food and Drug Administration approving this medication without a biopsy, GLI and our patients were very concerned after the VA maintained a biopsy requirement for the use of new medications for NASH/MASH. GLI, with the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD), authored a letter asking for clarification and transparency on this requirement. Having received a response from the VA with few tangible solutions for our veterans to receive medication, we were urged by our patient advocates to work with Congress to seek another route. Throughout this process, GLI requested Members of the House of Representatives support this language within the appropriations process, reinforcing the request that the VA ensure veterans with fatty liver disease can access the care they need without barriers. After several communications to the VA from GLI and congressional staff, we are pleased that multiple members on the House Veterans Affairs Committee stood alongside GLI and veterans with NASH/MASH, and submitted this report language urging the removal of the biopsy requirement for veteran patients. The report includes the following language:

    Reducing Health and Economic Burden of Chronic Liver Disease Among Veterans.—The health and economic burden of chronic liver disease is growing rapidly among veterans, fueled by the prevalence of obesity and related metabolic disorders. The Department mandates liver biopsy to confirm the diagnosis of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH) to authorize the use of new drug therapies. The Committee urges the Department to evaluate the impacts of therapy, including pharmaceutical and/or lifestyle measures, with the use of new, clinically validated, FDA-cleared, multiparametric MRI imaging solutions to diagnose, monitor, and improve management of veterans with MASH, while avoiding the need for biopsy in many patients.” 

    GLI remains steadfast in our efforts by now working with Senate staff to guarantee that this language stays in the Senate mark and conference report, ensuring similar language is maintained throughout the appropriations process and into the final bill approved by the House and Senate later this year.

    About Global Liver Institute  

    Global Liver Institute (GLI) is a 501(c)3 nonprofit organization founded in the belief that liver health must take its place on the global public health agenda commensurate with the prevalence and impact of liver illness. GLI promotes innovation, encourages collaboration, and supports the scaling of optimal approaches to help eradicate liver diseases. Operating globally, GLI is committed to solving the problems that matter to liver patients and equipping advocates to improve the lives of individuals and families impacted by liver disease. GLI holds Platinum Transparency with Candid/GuideStar, is a member of the National Health Council, and serves as a Healthy People 2030 Champion. Follow GLI on Facebook, Instagram, LinkedIn, and YouTube or visit www.globalliver.org.