# What This Bill Actually Does

This is a symbolic resolution that officially recognizes September 2022 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month." It's not a law that creates new programs or funding—instead, it's Congress expressing support for raising public awareness about sickle cell disease and calling on the government to take action on related issues.

The resolution lays out some important facts about sickle cell disease to make its case. It's an inherited blood disorder affecting about 100,000 Americans, with particularly high rates in African American communities (about 1 in 365 newborns). People with the disease experience severe pain episodes, often requiring hospitalization, and have significantly shortened lifespans—averaging around 41-43 years. The disease costs the healthcare system nearly $3 billion annually, with individual patients facing lifetime costs between $4-6 million.

The resolution then makes several requests of the federal government. It asks the Department of Health and Human Services to remove barriers that prevent people with sickle cell disease from accessing new treatments through Medicaid and Medicare, particularly newer genetic therapies that show promise. It also encourages the President to create a special cabinet bringing together multiple federal agencies—including the NIH, FDA, and Veterans Affairs—to coordinate efforts on sickle cell disease policy. Importantly, the resolution emphasizes that this coordination should address not just access to treatments, but also the bias and discrimination that people with sickle cell disease face within the healthcare system.

In practical terms, this resolution signals Congressional support for making sickle cell disease a priority and pushes the executive branch to work on removing obstacles to treatment access, particularly for lower-income patients who rely on government insurance programs.

Expressing support for the designation of September 2022 as "Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month" in order to educate communities across the United States about sickle cell disease and the need for research, early detection methods, effective treatments, and preventative care programs with respect to complications from sickle cell disease and conditions related to sickle cell disease.

Davis, Danny K.

 <p>This resolution expresses support for the goals and ideals of Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month and encourages the President to support access to innovative therapies for the disease. Sickle cell disease is an inherited blood disorder than can lead to pain, anemia, infections, and stroke.</p>