Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Centers Act of 2026
A Democratic bill with 2 Democratic cosponsors · See all 2 cosponsors
Last activity — Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
In committee
Introduced and handed to a committee in the chamber it started in.
The committee holds it, and most bills are never heard from again. A hearing or a committee vote would be news; silence is the usual outcome, and it kills the bill without anyone voting against it.
Its path through Congress
- 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
- Scored +8
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill establishes a hub-and-spoke grant program and coordinating center to drastically improve access to comprehensive, coordinated sickle cell disease care.
- Scored +7
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
Sickle cell disease disproportionately impacts Black Americans, and the legislation specifically funds centers and outreach to address this condition.
- Scored +6
Would households on low incomes be better off under this?
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. Tap or hover a score for the reason it gave.
- Demographic And Interest Groups
- Would Black Americans be better off under this? — 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? — Grant funds assist low-income patients with health insurance premiums, cost-sharing, and addressing basic social determinants of health. Would people with disabilities be better off under this? — The bill expands specialized health and supportive services for individuals suffering from severe chronic complications and disabilities related to sickle cell disease. Would children be better off under this? — The bill improves the pediatric-to-adult health care transition and supports children with sickle cell disease. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The bill explicitly establishes priority in grant awards for eligible entities that serve rural areas. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The legislation ensures lifelong coordinated care and smooth health care transitions for young adults aging out of pediatric care. Would people over 65 be better off under this? — Older individuals living with sickle cell disease benefit from expanded lifelong treatment centers and coordinated care. Would people in cities be better off under this? — The program prioritizes regions and urban areas with a high concentration of sickle cell patients per capita. Would middle-income households be better off under this? — Middle-class families dealing with sickle cell disease benefit from enhanced access to insurance support and coordinated care networks. Would retired people be better off under this? — Retirees managing lifelong complications of sickle cell disease benefit from improved access to coordinated medical hubs. Would students be better off under this? — The legislation allows funds to be used for educational programs targeting schools to properly care for individuals with sickle cell disease. Would veterans be better off under this, taking everything together? — Veterans with sickle cell disease or trait benefit from broader improvements to treatment centers and healthcare access.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill establishes a hub-and-spoke grant program and coordinating center to drastically improve access to comprehensive, coordinated sickle cell disease care. Does this put more money into medical research? — The legislation supports comprehensive research, treatment strategies, and data collection through the CDC and a National Coordinating Center. Does this put more money into Medicaid, the health coverage for people on low incomes? — The bill provides grant funding that can be used to secure health insurance reimbursement and assistance under programs such as Medicaid.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Sickle cell disease predominantly affects Black Americans, and the bill addresses disparities by funding targeted treatment and education resources. Is this likely to lift people out of poverty? — Grants fund community-based organizations that address social determinants of health such as food and housing insecurity. Is this likely to reduce homelessness? — Community-based organizations funded by the bill are directed to help address housing insecurity for patients and families.
- Education And Technology
- Does this put more money into scientific research? — The legislation expands data collection programs through the CDC and supports national sickle cell research strategies.
- Environment Energy And Infrastructure
- Does this invest in rural communities? — The legislation allows for grant award priorities to be given to eligible entities that serve rural areas with high prevalence or need.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill requires regular reports to Congress detailing the impact of treatment centers and patient demographic information.
- 9/23/2026
- Read twice and referred to the Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions.
- 2 Cosponsors added.
- Introduced in Senate
One bill Congress.gov lists as related to this one — companions in the other chamber, earlier versions, and bills this one absorbed or was folded into.
Cory BookerDemocrat · New Jersey
Amy KlobucharDemocrat · Minnesota