Scott Sickle Cell Bill Headed to the White House

WASHINGTON – U.S. Senator Tim Scott released the following statement upon the passage of the S. 2465, the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act by the U.S. House of Representatives. Scott introduced this important legislation on February 28, 2018, it was passed by the Senate on October 11, 2018, and is now on its way to the White House to be signed into law.

“One of the pillars I base my public service on is giving a voice to the voiceless, and that is exactly what this bill does. I am thrilled that both the House and Senate passed my bill to ensure that we work to improve our understanding of this disease through enhanced data collection and how patients are treated through public health initiatives.

For far too long, this terrible disease has been overshadowed in the public sphere and I am encouraged that, by the passage of this bill, our world-renowned researchers and providers will one day find a way to better treat and cure the estimated 100,000 people across our nation who are affected. I want to thank Senator Cory Booker and Congressmen Danny Davis and Michael Burgess for their continued efforts on this issue. I look forward to the President signing this legislation into law.” 

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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