North Texas News

Three congressmen, namely Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., Congressman Danny K. Davis, and Congressman Buddy Carter, have introduced the Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act. The act aims to provide comprehensive and coordinated care to patients with sickle cell disease through a health home model under State Medicaid programs.

Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D., expressed his motivation behind the bill, stating, "While completing my residency at Parkland Hospital, I witnessed and cared for patients struggling with sickle cell disease. Sickle cell is a complex and complicated condition that requires access to a knowledgeable provider, care coordination, and early intervention treatment needed to combat the disease."

Congressman Danny K. Davis highlighted the impact of sickle cell disease, noting, "Sickle Cell is a disease that currently affects an estimated 100,000 Americans, with an additional 2 million carrying the trait. Furthermore, it is a disease that disproportionally impacts the lives of African Americans more so than that of any other ethnic group in the United States."

Congressman Buddy Carter, drawing from his experience as a pharmacist, emphasized the importance of the act in improving the quality of life for SCD patients, stating, "The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act will improve quality of life for SCD patients by increasing access to high-quality care and reducing the need for costly emergency room visits, saving patients’ time, money, and, ultimately, lives."

Mohandas Narla, DSc, President of the American Society of Hematology, praised the bill, saying, "This bill takes an important step toward providing comprehensive care for individuals living with SCD. For too long, people with SCD have faced challenges and disparities in access to timely, equitable, and high-quality care."

The Sickle Cell Disease Comprehensive Care Act aims to address the challenges faced by individuals living with sickle cell disease by providing better access to care and reducing costly emergency room visits. The introduction of this act is a significant step towards improving the quality of life for SCD patients and ensuring better access to care in communities.