Legislation to Fight Sickle Cell Disease

Press Release

Rep. Danny K. Davis and Rep. John Shimkus have introduced a bill today to extend for 5 years the authorization of appropriations for the sickle cell disease prevention and treatment demonstration program. This bill would continue to help treat and provide services for patients with the blood disorder that primarily affects African-Americans.

The Reauthorization of the Sickle Cell Treatment Act would continue to provide health care access for patients by providing federal matching funds for sickle cell disease related services under Medicaid making it easier for doctors to treat patients with the disease and increasing state funding for physician and laboratory services. The legislation would continue to enhance the number of services available to sickle cell disease patients by allowing states to receive a federal 50-50 funding match for treatment expenses such as genetic counseling, community outreach and education.

"I want to thank Rep. John Shimkus who has been my bipartisan partner in this effort continue to help tens of thousands of Americans who suffer from this dreadful disease," said Rep. Davis.

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