Scott Sickle Cell Bill Signed into Law

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott released the following statement upon the president signing S. 2465, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act into law. 

“Sickle Cell Disease can result in a lifetime of pain, and although we have known about it for more than 100 years, treatments are limited. This terrible disease has been overshadowed for years but I have hope that through this newly signed law, our world-renowned researchers and health providers will find ways to identify a better way to treat and cure the estimated 100,000 people across our nation who are affected.

I am delighted that the president signed my bill into law and hopeful that we’ll continue to improve our understanding of sickle cell through enhanced data collection and improve patient lives through public health initiatives. I’m grateful for the efforts carried out by my colleagues Senator Cory Booker, Congressmen Danny Davis and Michael Burgess, and thankful that the rest of my colleagues in both the House and Senate voted to pass this bill.”

Background on Sickle Cell Disease:
Individuals diagnosed with Sickle Cell Disease may experience serious medical complications ranging from anemia, restricted blood flow, strokes and even death. While hematopoietic stem cell transplantation is currently the only known cure and advancements have been made in treating complications, more can be done to help patients and their families. The Center for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) currently estimates that Sickle Cell Disease occurs in 1 out of every 365 African-American births and 1 out of 16,3000 Hispanic-American births. Approximately 1 in 13 African-American babies are born with the sickle cell trait.

Read the full copy of the bill HERE. 

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