Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa) and Representative Darryl Campbell (D- Ft. Lauderdale)’s bill, House Bill 1481, unanimously passed its first committee stop. House Bill 1481 is a commitment to the estimated 8,500 individuals living with sickle cell disease in Florida. It will ensure health care professionals are equipped with the best information necessary to treat and care for individuals with sickle cell disease.
HB 1481 creates a statewide registry for sickle cell patients and requires the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration to review and report on sickle cell disease medications, treatments, and services for Medicaid recipients in order to monitor sickle cell treatment in the state and increase transparency and prepare Florida Medicaid to potentially cover any new drugs to help treat the disease. HB 1481, in part, is intended to encourage better data collection for those Floridians living with sickle cell disease within Florida Medicaid which will bolster efforts to better inform patients about treatment options or available resources.
“Florida has the highest number of sickle cell births nationwide. Therefore, the data collection mandated in this bill will be revolutionary for Floridians living with sickle cell disease. I am looking forward to continuing working with my colleagues to get this bill through its remaining committees. I am committed to working towards a Florida where everyone has the freedom to be healthy, prosperous, and safe,” said Leader Driskell.
“It is crucial that we understand how sickle cell disease and the sickle cell trait affect our communities, especially with Florida being the national hub for this inherited blood disorder. For those suffering, it is life or death,” said Representative Campbell. “This bill will provide us with the necessary data to be better informed on how to treat Floridians with sickle cell disease. I am honored to be sponsoring this important bill alongside Leader Driskell.”
