Palmetto State News

U.S. Senators Tim Scott (R-S.C.) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) have introduced a resolution to designate September as Sickle Cell Disease (SCD) Awareness Month.

“Sickle cell disease is the most common inherited blood disorder in the U.S., affecting one in every 365 Black newborns,” said Senator Scott. “Yet despite the prevalence of SCD, research and treatments remain far too limited. With this resolution, we commit to raising awareness and seeking out legislation that will help our medical community fight—and, one day, cure—this painful disease.”

“Sickle cell disease affects an estimated 100,000 individuals in the United States and is the most common inherited blood disorder in our country,” said Senator Booker. “This disease, which disproportionately affects Black Americans, is at the intersection of both health care justice and racial justice. I am proud to introduce this resolution designating September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month alongside Senator Scott. We must remain committed to educating people about sickle cell and the urgent need to expand access to quality care and effective treatments for those suffering from this disease.”

The text of the resolution can be found here.

Earlier this month, Senators Scott and Booker introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act. This act would allow state Medicaid programs to provide comprehensive care to SCD patients through a health home model.

On June 15, 2023, Senator Scott’s Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2023 was approved by the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP). The legislation reauthorizes the Health Resources and Services Administration’s (HRSA) Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program beyond fiscal year 2023 through fiscal year 2028. This bill helps ensure that HRSA has the flexibility to provide technical assistance and educational materials more rapidly to grantees and communities in response to emerging subjects such as gene therapies for treating individuals with sickle cell disease. The bill was approved by the House of Representatives last week.