Today the Florida House unanimously passed HB 7085 by Representative Kelly Skidmore (D-Boca Raton) and prime co-sponsor Leader Fentrice Driskell (D-Tampa). This bill creates the Sickle Cell Disease Research and Treatment Grant Program within the Department of Health and expands the existing sickle cell registry to allow adults with sickle cell disease to opt into the registry.
The Office of Minority Health and Health Equity within the Department of Health will award the grants to community-based sickle cell disease treatment and research centers to fund the operation of Centers of Excellence for the treatment of sickle cell disease and to the development of a health care workforce that is prepared to address the unique needs of patients with sickle cell disease. Additionally, $10 million in recurring funds for the grant program is included in the House and Senate budget.
“Florida will lead the way for sickle cell patients with this landmark legislation and investment in researching, understanding, and treating this disease,” stated Representative Skidmore. “Because this is a disease that causes chronic pain and requires specialized treatment, it is extremely important to provide as many research and treatment options as possible. This bill is an important step toward bolstering the research that will, one day soon, improve the quality of life for people living with this disease.”
According to a 2023 report by the Florida Agency for Health Care Administration, Florida has an average of about 7,000 new cases a year, twice that of the national average. Moreover, the number of people with Sickle Cell Disease enrolled in Florida Medicaid averages 7,328 people per year.
“This is a big deal and will launch Florida as a world leader in the fight against sickle cell. By creating what we understand to be the nation’s first sickle cell disease Centers of Excellence, Florida is transforming the care available to patients, giving hope for a better life with less pain.
It has been a pleasure to work with Speaker Renner to continue the good work we started last year,” added Leader Driskell.
