Legislation Seeks to Add Sickle Cell Disease Care to State Medicaid Programs

A new bill seeks to add sickle cell disease (SCD) to state Medicaid programs with the goal of providing better access to nonemergency services for patients living with the disease.

The bill HR 7432 was introduced in the US House of Representatives to amend title XIX of the Social Security Act so that state Medicaid programs can provide “comprehensive, coordinated care through a health home” to individuals living with SCD.

HR 7432, titled the “Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act,” was introduced by Representatives Michael Burgess, MD, from Texas and Danny Davis from Illinois. If enacted, the bill will take effect beginning January 1, 2025.

In general, the bill amends Section 1945 of the Social Security Act to include language specific to SCD, and also introduces special rules related to reporting requirements, best practices, and eligibility for SCD health homes.

SCD is the most common inherited red blood cell disorder in the United States, affecting nearly one out of every 365 and one out of every 16,300 Black and Hispanic American births, respectively.

“For too long, people with SCD have faced challenges and disparities in access to timely, equitable, and high-quality care,” commented Mohandas Narla, DSc, President of the American Society of Hematology.

“We look forward to working with Reps. Burgess and Davis to ensure that this model includes coverage for dental, vision, and nonemergency transportation services in addition to other comprehensive care services,” Dr. Narla added.