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In this issue:
Craig S. Weeks, MD, FAAFP, AAHIVS
Great Lakes Bay Health Centers
Practice Address: 1522 Janes Avenue, Saginaw, MI 48601
Provider Specialty: Primary Care
Provider Subspecialty: HIV and Viral Hepatitis, Gender-Affirming Hormone Therapy, LGBTQ Primary Care
Supplemental Services Offered: Trained in Family Medicine/Primary Care, and completed a Community HIV and Viral Hepatitis Fellowship at the University of Massachusetts to gain additional training in HIV treatment and prevention, hepatitis B/C treatment, gender-affirming hormone therapy, treatment of opiate use disorder to expand primary care practice.
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Great Lakes Bay Health Centers is proud to be the largest Federally Qualified Health Center (FQHC) in Michigan, delivering essential healthcare services to some of the state's most vulnerable populations. We serve the Great Lakes Bay Region with a strong commitment to both primary and specialty care, ensuring that high-risk patients have access to the comprehensive support they need. Being part of a team that provides this level of care is one of the most meaningful and rewarding aspects of my work.
What are successes and barriers to testing or treating hepatitis C?
At Great Lakes Bay Health Centers, we're fortunate to have strong systems in place that support hepatitis C testing and treatment. Our outreach team, support staff, and pharmacy work closely together to help patients start and stay on treatment, even when they face significant barriers. These coordinated efforts have helped us achieve strong treatment completion rates.
That said, follow-up remains a challenge. It takes time and persistence to ensure patients return for labs and post-treatment monitoring, and some do fall out of care before SVR12 can be confirmed. While most of our patients are covered by Medicaid, uninsured individuals can face delays in accessing medications and imaging. We're fortunate to have a prior authorization specialist who helps navigate these issues, and we've had good success working with local health systems that are receptive and willing to assist with imaging and other services when needed.
Can you share an experience with the ease of treating hepatitis C?
Treating hepatitis C has become significantly more streamlined thanks to We Treat Hep C and the support systems in place at our clinical site. Our staff are well-versed in the necessary workup, lab monitoring, and follow-up protocols, which allows much of the care process to move forward efficiently. This team-based approach frees up providers to focus on clinical decision-making and patient interaction. Because so much of hepatitis C management can be guided by lab results, we've been able to expand access through telehealth and virtual visits. This has allowed us to treat dozens of patients remotely, many of whom might otherwise face barriers to in-person care. The combination of knowledgeable staff and flexible care models has made treatment more accessible and effective for our patients.
What is something you'd like to share with other providers who may not yet be testing and treating their patients for hepatitis C?
One of the biggest turning points in hepatitis C treatment for me was the release of the simplified guidance from AASLD/IDSA. The single-page PDFs for patients without cirrhosis and with compensated cirrhosis are incredibly practical- they outline the key history, labs, treatment options, and follow-up in a way that's easy to follow and apply in real-world settings. I often use these tools to help co-manage patients with providers at remote sites. They serve as "training wheels" for those new to HCV treatment, giving them the confidence to get started while knowing support is just a phone call away. After a few straightforward cases, most providers are comfortable treating on their own- and many go on to support others in the same way.
This kind of peer-to-peer support is exactly what we need to build momentum. As more providers gain confidence treating hepatitis C in their own clinics, we move closer to the goal of eliminating the disease across Michigan. It's absolutely achievable- and we're already seeing the impact.
What are your thoughts on the We Treat Hep C Initiative?
The We Treat Hep C Initiative has been a game-changer for hepatitis C care in Michigan. By removing barriers to treatment and empowering all providers to prescribe curative therapy, it has dramatically expanded access for patients across the state. Our care teams are now able to treat more people, more quickly, and with fewer administrative hurdles- leading to better outcomes and healthier communities. This initiative is a shining example of how thoughtful public health policy can transform lives.
"This initiative is a shining example of how thoughtful public health policy can transform lives."
Please share any additional thoughts or takeaways.
I'm truly honored to be part of this incredible team and statewide initiative working to eliminate hepatitis C. For many patients, completing treatment represents a powerful step forward- an opportunity to move on from something that has weighed heavily on their lives.
If you're a provider who hasn't yet started treating hepatitis C, know that you're not alone. There are resources, tools, and colleagues across the state who are ready and willing to help. Reach out, ask questions, and connect with others in the collaborative. The support is there- and together, we can make a real difference.
Contact Dr. Craig Weeks: cweeks@glbhealth.org
New to curing hepatitis C? Free clinician-to-clinician support is available!
In March 2025, prompted by the availability of point-of-care (POC) HCV RNA testing, the American Association for the Study of Liver Diseases (AASLD) and Infectious Diseases Society of America (IDSA) published a new Hepatitis C Point of Care Test and Treat Algorithm, linked on the AASLD/IDSA HCV Practice Guidance website.
For helpful information on implementation considerations, watch this brief video by Dr. Andrew Aronsohn on HCV Point of Care Testing and the Test and Treat Approach (10 minutes). Dr. Aronsohn is a co-chair for the AASLD/IDSA guidance for hepatitis C treatment.
Every year, World Hepatitis Day is observed on July 28 to raise awareness of viral hepatitis across the world. The public health campaign calls for global elimination of viral hepatitis through prevention, screening, treatment, and vaccination.
For different ways to get involved, view the World Hepatitis Day Campaign Guidelines. Campaign supporters are encouraged to raise awareness through social media posts, conducting media interviews, and hosting webinars and events. Free campaign resources and ways to take action are available on the World Hepatitis Day website.
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On June 4, 2025, bipartisan legislation, the Cure Hepatitis C Act of 2025, was introduced to support hepatitis C elimination in the United States through expanded access to hepatitis C testing and treatment, strengthening public health infrastructure, and implementing innovative care delivery models to reach vulnerable populations. This legislation:
- Proposes establishing a national subscription-based model to procure hepatitis C medications
- Supports hepatitis B point of care testing and linkage to care
- Provides funding to support local and state health departments, community health centers, opioid treatment programs, and correctional facilities to integrate hepatitis C services and scale up existing prevention programs
The Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administration (SAMHSA) recently published a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO), titled the Hepatitis C Elimination Initiative Pilot.
Description: This funding opportunity aims to leverage existing health care institutions' capacity to prevent, test for, treat, and cure hepatitis C in individuals with substance use disorder (SUD) and/or serious mental illness (SMI), particularly in communities severely affected by homelessness and to gain insights on effective ways to identify patients, complete treatment and reduce reinfection.
Eligibility: Eligible applicants are States and Territories, including the District of Columbia, political subdivisions of States, Indian tribes or tribal organizations (as such terms are defined in section 5304 of title 25), health facilities, or programs operated by or in accordance with a contract or award with the Indian Health Service, or other public or private non-profit entities, including faith-based organizations.
Award Information
Funding Mechanism: Grant
Anticipated Total Available Funding: $100,000,000
Anticipated Number of Awards: 13-40 awards
Anticipated Award Amount: Up to $2,500,000 - $7,500,000 per award for the first 2 years (up to $1,250,000-$3,750,000 per year)
Length of Project: Up to 3 years
Application submissions are due on August 1, 2025. Program and eligibility questions can be directed to SAMHSA at HepCFree@samhsa.hhs.gov.
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