Bill · S. 5488· Senate(119-S-5488)
Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2026
- Introduced
- 9/23/2026
- Last activity
- 9/23/2026 — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- Sponsored by
- Chris Van Hollen
- Cosponsors
- - 2 - 0
- Introduced
- In Committee
What this bill would do
This bill establishes a grant program to create treatment centers for sickle cell disease and other heritable hemoglobinopathies using a hub-and-spoke framework. Eligible entities receiving these grants must include a medical hub, at least one medical spoke, and a community-based nonprofit organization working in partnership. The program aims to promote lifelong coordinated health care, improve health outcomes, and help patients transition from pediatric to adult care. Additionally, the legislation creates a National Sickle Cell Disease Coordinating Center and expands data collection through the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention. Finally, the bill requires regular reports to Congress on the impact of these treatment centers.
Yes· 3 of 21
Does this make health care easier to get in general?+8
The bill establishes a hub-and-spoke grant program and coordinating center to drastically improve access to comprehensive, coordinated sickle cell disease care.
Would Black Americans be better off under this?+7
Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts Black Americans, and the legislation specifically funds centers and outreach to address this condition.
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?+6
Grant funds assist low-income patients with health insurance premiums, cost-sharing, and addressing basic social determinants of health.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Better Access to Coordinated Health Care: Under section 2 (subsection (b)(1)), the bill promotes access to coordinated, lifelong health care for all patients with sickle cell disease by using a hub-and-spoke framework, which helps patients receive comprehensive medical services no matter where they live.
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Support for Social Needs: Through section 2 (subsection (d)(2)(B)), community-based organizations are directed to help address social determinants of health, such as food insecurity, housing insecurity, and access to education and transportation, directly benefiting patients and their families.
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Assistance with Insurance and Costs: Section 2 (subsection (d)(4)(B)) allows grant funds to be used to assist patients with accessing appropriate health insurance, which includes paying for insurance premiums and cost-sharing amounts where permitted by law and helping patients understand their insurance rights.
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Help with Travel and Transportation: Under section 2 (subsection (d)(4)(E)), grant funds can be used to develop a system of social and community supports, including transportation services or travel reimbursement for patients who need access to in-person care at the treatment centers.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- No Negative Impacts Identified: Based strictly on the text provided in the bill, there are no specific sections or provisions that outline negative consequences or burdens for individuals or groups of people in the United States.
Groups and Interests Ranking
Every group the model scored this bill for, from -10 to +10. Hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Good For African Americans+7Good For Low Income Households+6Good For People With Disabilities+6Good For Children+5Good For Rural Residents+5Good For Young Adults+5Good For Seniors+4Good For Urban Residents+4Good For Middle Class Households+3Good For Retirees+3Good For Students+2Good For Veterans+2
- Healthcare
- Improves Healthcare Access+8Increases Research Funding+5Increases Medicaid Funding+4
- Social Issues And Justice
- Improves Racial Equity+6Improves Poverty Reduction+3Reduces Homelessness+3
- Education And Technology
- Increases Scientific Research Funding+5
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Improves Rural Development+4
- Governance And Ideology
- Improves Government Transparency+3
- 9/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota