U.S POLICY

Global Liver Institute advocates for liver health through a variety of methods, including authoring and signing on to key initiatives, informative meetings with government agency and Congressional leadership, and educational briefings and campaigns. Among GLI’s priority issues are:

We advocate for Americans’ liver health throughout the life course, including upstream factors, access to screening and care, and downstream needs. Appropriations and thoughtful policies for public health and research entities like the NIH, CDC FDA, HRSA, CMS, and SAMSA can prevent or address many cases of liver disease in a timely fashion for Americans; at the same time, a fair and efficient organ transplantation system ensures that as many patients as possible have access to this life-saving second chance at life. Wherever policies that affect liver health are determined, we are there to elevate the patient voice and patients’ priorities.

Beyond the Biopsy

Guidelines indicate that MASLD and MASH can typically be diagnosed and treated without a costly and invasive biopsy. This is consistent with clinical practice. However, the Veterans Health Administration and some payers still require a biopsy procedure prior to treatment. GLI has spearheaded the effort to move beyond the biopsy, consistently advocating against this barrier to patient access.

Viral Hepatitis Control & Elimination

With effective vaccination and direct-acting antiviral drugs available, society has the tools to dramatically reduce transmission of viral hepatitis B and C and cure over 95% of hepatitis C cases. With science in hand, progress now relies on shared, determined commitment to developing, implementing, and expanding effective public health programs to identify, treat, and prevent infection.

Innovative Care for Pediatric and Rare Disease

Because of small patient populations, investment in rare and pediatric diseases can be economically prohibitive, leaving many patients with rare diseases without options for treatment on the horizon. Creative policy incentives allow these investments to move forward and create hope and solutions. At the same time, the specific needs of many diseases also require unique coverage to ensure patients receive the specialized care and treatment they need.

Prevention & Treatment of Metabolic Disease

As rates of obesity and diabetes have increased, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) and its more advanced form, metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease, have become We advocated on behalf of AOMs for the Treat and Reduce Obesity Act (TROA) with several coalitions to promote access and coverage for these necessary drugs. This includes letters to legislators, CMS, and relevant committees.

Increased Five-Year Survival Rate of Liver Cancers

Though it is the sixth most common cancer type, liver cancer leads to the third most deaths. It is one of the few cancers that remains steady in a time when death from cancer overall is declining. Nearly every liver disease increases the risk of liver cancer developing. From coverage of diagnostics to investment in innovative research, many policies can push the needle towards survival for liver cancer patients.

Access & Coverage

Breakthrough technologies cannot transform health if they never reach the patients who stand to benefit the most. From utilization management and changing formularies to AI-assisted coverage decisions, the policies of entities like payers (health insurance providers) and pharmacy benefit managers (PBMs) can be the difference between disease progression or effective treatment. GLI is part of consistent and coordinated efforts to promote PBM reform in legislative and regulatory methods to lower the costs of and promote patient access to drugs by eliminating harmful policies such as step therapy requirements.