Sen. Scott Moves to Reauthorize Sickle Cell Treatment Program

WASHINGTON — U.S. Senator Tim Scott (R-S.C.), member of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and Senator Cory Booker (D-N.J.) introduced legislation to reauthorize the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program, which was last reauthorized in 2018. 

Sickle cell disease (SCD) is an inherited blood disorder predominantly affecting African Americans, Latinos, and other minority groups. Individuals with SCD have a significantly lower life expectancy than the overall population. According to the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention, sickle cell affects 100,000 individuals in the United States.

“Reauthorizing this program will allow us to expand access to research and treatment for rare blood diseases and reduce the number of people in already overwhelmed emergency rooms. I am glad to play a small role in easing the burden that SCD has on too many individuals and their families,” said Senator Scott. “This legislation will help ensure continued innovation and advancement of life-changing SCD care.” 

“Since 2018, the Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program has expanded access to care for people suffering from SCD and saved lives,” said Senator Booker. “Reauthorizing this crucial program will allow us to continue allocating resources for research and treatment of sickle cell disease. I’m proud of the progress we have made and urge my colleagues in Congress to reauthorize this program so we can continue to make advancements and improve care for SCD patients across the nation.”

The Sickle Cell Disease Treatment and Demonstration Program:

• Increases the number of clinicians knowledgeable about SCD care; 
• Improves the quality of care provided to individuals with SCD; 
• Develops best practices for coordination of services during the pediatric to adult care transition; and
• Improves care coordination with other providers. 

The full text of the legislation can be found here. 

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