BOSTON -- Viral hepatitis sufferers may soon get aid from the federal government as a result of a new bill filed by Sen. John Kerry on Thursday that aims to spot the disease before it can turn into liver cancer.

“Viral hepatitis is a silent killer,” Kerry said. “Most people don’t even know they have hepatitis until it causes liver damage, or even cancer years after the initial infection. We can easily avoid these needless tragedies with prevention, surveillance programs and by educating Americans about this deadly disease."

"The bill I’m introducing today will help create a national strategy to combat and prevent hepatitis, hopefully ending this silent affliction’s often deadly consequences,” he added.

Hepatitis B and C contribute to the death of 15,000 Americans every year, but currently health centers receive no money from the federal government to manage this problem, a statement from Kerry said, even though more people have viral hepatitis than HIV/AIDS.

This bill, the Viral Hepatitis and Liver Cancer Control and Prevention Act of 2010, would expand surveillance, screening and educational programs for the disease, a statement from Kerry's office said. It would also fund immunization and help those already diagnosed with the disease receive proper care.

The bill would enact this by requiring that federal health agencies develop a national program to prevent and control viral hepatitis. The program would cost $600 million over five years, Kerry's office said.

In Massachusetts alone, more than 10,000 cases of viral hepatitis are newly diagnosed each year, according to the Massachusetts Department of Public Health.