ASH Applauds the Sickle Cell Disease Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act of 2018

ASH Secretary Dr. Robert Brodsky participated in a roundtable discussion hosted by Senator Cory Booker (D-NJ) following the introduction of sickle cell disease (SCD) legislation in the U.S. Senate. The Sickle Cell Disease Research, Surveillance, Prevention and Treatment Act (S. 2465), sponsored by Senators Tim Scott (R-SC) and Booker, reauthorizes SCD prevention and treatment grants awarded by the Health Resources and Service Administration (HRSA) and authorizes the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to award SCD surveillance grants to better understand the prevalence and distribution of SCD and its associated health outcomes, complications, and treatments.

ASH and 66 other organizations have endorsed the Senate bill. Similar legislation (H.R. 2410) sponsored by Representatives Danny Davis (D-IL) and Michael Burgess (R-TX) passed the House earlier this week. A webcast of the SCD roundtable between Dr. Brodsky and Senator Booker is available online.

Over the past several years, ASH members have made numerous visits to congressional offices and participated in congressional briefings to raise awareness of SCD. These steadfast advocacy efforts were critical in the introduction of this legislation. ASH looks forward to continuing the fight to move this bill through the Senate and ultimately having it signed into law.