Hep Free NYC Committees operate to support the specific needs and strategic goals of the viral hepatitis community. Each committee has a primary focus that provides support and coordinates cooperation amongst coalition partners.
- Committee Advocacy Join community members in supporting the City Council–funded Viral Hepatitis Prevention Initiative and State hepatitis elimination funding by advocating on local, state and federal policy and legislative issues. Learn more
- Committee Communications Develops the coalition's social media strategy and publishes information and resources across the Hep Free NYC website and channels. Learn more
- Committee Awareness Day Planning Plans, promotes and hosts events across the hepatitis awareness calendar, bringing the coalition's partner network together. Learn more
- Coalition Coalition against Hepatitis in People of African Origin CHIPO-NYC brings together organizations, providers and advocates working to end hepatitis B and C in African communities across the city. Learn more
- Initiative South Asian Hepatitis Initiative SAHI raises awareness, expands screening and reduces cultural and language barriers to care for South Asian-born and diaspora communities. Learn more
Committees Goals | Mission
Goals and progress indicators from the NYC Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan. Each links to its section of the plan.
The NYC Health Department and Hep Free NYC community partners create annual workplans detailing the strategies to be implemented the following year, along with specific steps for implementation. The Health Department regularly assesses and reports on progress indicators at Hep Free NYC coalition meetings and other stakeholder forums.
In 2021, the NYC Health Department released the Plan to Eliminate Viral Hepatitis as a Major Public Health Threat in New York City by 2030, a set of strategies to reduce Hep C infection, improve the health of people with Hep B and C, and reduce health inequities related to viral hepatitis infection in NYC.
An estimated 329,000 people are living with Hep B and/or C in NYC, according to the NYC Health Department’s 2022 Hep A, B, and C Annual Surveillance Report. Without care and treatment, people with Hep B or C may progress to serious liver disease, liver cancer, or premature death.
The NYC Viral Hepatitis Elimination Plan was developed with local Hep B and C advocates and stakeholders, and implementation of the plan will include quarterly community engagement and planning through the Hep Free NYC Coalition. Eliminating viral hepatitis in NYC is ambitious, but with effective interventions, sufficient resources, and broad stakeholder commitment, it is possible.
Join the Advocacy Leadership Committee
If you are interested in joining the Hep Free NYC Advocacy Leadership Committee or have questions, email committee chair Meg Chappell at megchappell@empireliverfoundation.org.
Contact list of leadership
| Name | Role | Organization | Contact |
|---|---|---|---|
| Meg Chappell | Advocacy Chair | Empire Liver Foundation | megchappell@empireliverfoundation.org |
| Kenia Liriano | Check Hep C Lead | Community Health Action of Staten Island | kenia.liariano@chasiny.org |
| Shanda Kearse | Check Hep C Lead | Community Health Action of Staten Island | shanda.kearse@chasiny.org |
| Julie Yoko Yoshimachi | Check Hep B Lead | Charles B. Wang Community Health Center | jyoshimachi@cbwchc.org |
| Emily Li | Check Hep B Lead | Korean Community Services | emily@kcsny.org |
| Jose Martinez | Hep C Peer Lead | National Harm Reduction Coalition | Martinez@harmreduction.org |
| Mike Selick | Hep C Peer Lead | National Harm Reduction Coalition | selick@harmreduction.org |
| Jeannine Garriga | Hep C Peer Lead | BOOM!Health | jgarriga@boomhealth.org |
| Joy Cambe | Training Lead | Empire Liver Foundation | Joycambe@empireliverfoundation.org |
| Robert Desrouleaux | Training Lead | To confirm | robert.hcmsg@gmail.com |
| Ronni Marks | Advisor | To confirm | ronnnimarks24@gmail.com |
| Ellie Goldfarb | Advisor | Housing Works | e.goldfarb@housingworks.org |
Advocacy Season Timeline
September–November 2026
Learn about Hep Free NYC advocacy
NYC Council & State Legislature
- Learn about viral hepatitis advocacy during Hep Free NYC and partner trainings.
- Identify your elected representatives on the NYC Council and State Legislature.
November 2026–January 2027
Prepare advocacy requests
NYC Council Hepatitis B and C
- Prepare your NYC Council discretionary funding application for February 2027 submission.
NYS Legislature Hepatitis C
- Participate in the Hep C NY Coalition fall 2026 meeting to draft legislative priorities.
- Monitor state budget proposals.
NYC Council & State Legislature
- Begin outreach to your elected representatives.
February–March 2027
Educate policymakers during advocacy events
NYC Council Hepatitis B and C
- Attend the NYC Council Viral Hepatitis Prevention Initiative educational briefing in February 2027, and invite NYC Council Members to join you.
NYS Legislature Hepatitis C
- Join coalition partners at the Hep C NY Legislative Education Day in Albany in February 2027.
NYC Council & State Legislature
- Provide testimony at NYC Council committee hearings in March 2027, sharing neighborhood public health data and organizational experiences to justify funding needs.
April–June 2027
Outreach and monitoring
NYC Council & State Legislature
- Continue outreach to elected officials. For example, schedule meetings to discuss viral hepatitis priorities, make advocacy calls (phone zaps), and invite elected officials to the May 2027 Hepatitis Awareness Day Steps of City Hall Press Event and other community gatherings.
NYC Council Hepatitis B and C
- Monitor NYC Council budget decisions.
NYS Legislature Hepatitis C
- Monitor state budget decisions.
Available Trainings
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Opportunity | Harm Reduction Peer Academy (Deadline September 26, 2025)
Harm Reduction Peer Academy Open! Apply by September 26, 2025!
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Opportunity | Harm Reduction Peer Academy (Deadline March 28, 2025)
Harm Reduction Peer Academy Open! Apply by March 28, 2025!
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Opportunity | Harm Reduction Peer Academy (Deadline December 27, 2024)
Harm Reduction Peer Academy Open! Apply by December 27, 2024!
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Building Equitable: Supportive Coalitions (NASTAD)
NASTAD Hep C Community Navigation Toolkit consists of program protocols, data collection tools, and patient education materials.
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Opportunity | Harm Reduction Peer Academy (Deadline September 27, 2024)
Harm Reduction Peer Academy Open! Apply by September 27, 2024!
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Opportunity | Harm Reduction Peer Academy (Deadline June 28, 2024)
Harm Reduction Peer Academy Open! Apply by June 28, 2024!
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Opportunity | Harm Reduction Peer Academy (Deadline March 29, 2024)
Harm Reduction Peer Academy Open! Apply by March 29, 2024!
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Opportunity | Harm Reduction Peer Academy (Deadline January 1, 2024)
Harm Reduction Peer Academy Open! Apply by January 1, 2024!
Resources
Hep Free NYC Advocacy Toolkit Advocacy Toolkit
The following lists the advocacy resources shared in this toolkit.
Hep Free NYC coalition resources
Hep Free NYC tips for communicating with NYC/NYS policymakers
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Templates · Hep Free NYC
Advocacy email templates
Coming soon
New York City Council–specific resources
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Webinar · Hep Free NYC
Introduction to Funding webinar
Coming soon -
PDF · Hep Free NYC
Recommendations for a strong NYC Council discretionary funding application
New York State Legislature–specific resources
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Policy · NYS Hepatitis C Coalition
2026–2027 Hep C Elimination Policy Platform
Coming soon -
Google Drive · NYS Hepatitis C Coalition
NYS Hepatitis C Coalition FY2027 Budget and Policy Priorities
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Web · NYS Legislature
NYS legislative session calendar & member directory
Calendar coming soon Members
Find Health Insurance
Get help finding and enrolling in health insurance, learn about special extra help programs, and find navigators across New York State.
Resources for Under-insured or Uninsured
Low- and no-cost health care available to under-insured and uninsured New Yorkers.
The programs below offer HepCAP, which covers the cost of Hep C medical care for eligible patients. Funded by the NYS Department of Health.
Questions about this listing or the HepCAP program? Contact Kara Burke, MPH, Project Manager, Hepatitis C Care and Treatment, Office of Hepatitis Health Care and Epidemiology, AIDS Institute — Kara.Burke@health.ny.gov.
Mount Sinai — Manhattan
Sun River Health — Bronx
Housing Works — Brooklyn
Acacia Network / J-CAP — Queens
Assistance with Medication Coverage
Medication coverage resources, help resolving coverage issues or filing a complaint, and programs that assist with drug costs and co-pays.
Since 2024, New York State Medicaid covers Hep C medication without prior authorization for all patients, regardless of treatment history. Medicare, private and employer-based insurance may still require it.
If treatment is denied
- Get help first. Community Health Advocates offers resources to assist providers and patients in filing appeals, fair hearings, and grievances or complaints. Call (800) 614-5400 to get started.
- Appeal. A treatment denial can be appealed. Providers and patients can contact the insurance company using the phone number on the back of the membership card.
- Request a Fair Hearing. If treatment is still not approved after the appeal, a Fair Hearing is a chance to tell an administrative law judge why the insurance should cover it.
- File a grievance or complaint. Filing one is the only way health insurance regulators will know there is a problem with patient care.
- Report it to the Health Care Bureau. The NYS Attorney General’s office asks that patients, doctors or their representatives call the Health Care Bureau helpline at (800) 428-9071, or file a complaint form, if they believe they were wrongly denied coverage for Hep C treatment medications.
Other helpful resources
Pharmaceutical patient assistance programs that cover the cost of medications or co-pays.