Chris Van Hollen (D-MD)
Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act of 2026
A bill to amend the Public Health Service Act to authorize a scholarship and loan repayment program to incentivize physicians to enter into the field of sickle cell disease research, treatment, and patient care, and for other purposes.
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 is called the Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act of 2026. It sets up a scholarship and loan repayment program to help physicians who go into sickle cell disease research, treatment, and patient care. The bill also provides community-based grants to create education and advocacy programs for people with sickle cell disease and their families. Additionally, it establishes grants to help young adults with sickle cell disease transition smoothly from pediatric care to adult care. The programs created by this bill are authorized to receive funding through fiscal year 2032.
Yes· 3 of 13
- Scored +7
Would Black Americans be better off under this?
Sickle cell disease disproportionately affects Black Americans, and the bill provides targeted funding for research, care, and community education to improve health outcomes for this population.
- Scored +7
Does this make health care easier to get in general?
The bill authorizes programs to expand the supply of physicians specializing in sickle cell disease, improve community education, and support care transitions for patients.
- Scored +6
Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this?
The bill establishes dedicated grants to help young adults with sickle cell disease transition smoothly from pediatric care to adult care.
The opposite
No question was scored the opposite.
Who it would affect, and how
Potential Positive Impacts for People
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Assistance for Medical Students and Doctors: Under Section 340J, scholarships and loan repayments are offered to students and physicians who agree to work in sickle cell research or treatment. This is positive because it helps relieve the heavy financial burden of medical school for those dedicated to fighting this disease.
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Help for Disadvantaged Backgrounds: Section 340J(d) allows the Secretary to prioritize awarding these scholarships and loan repayments to individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. This is a positive step to ensure diverse representation and opportunities in the medical field.
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Better Community Education: Section 340J-1 provides grants to community-based and faith-based organizations to establish education and advocacy programs. This is positive because it helps improve health literacy, mental health awareness, and access to care for the sickle cell population.
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Support for Aging Patients: Section 340J-2 awards grants to help patients between the ages of 18 and 29 transition from pediatric care to adult care. This is positive because it provides dedicated coordinators, mental health services, and assistance in finding adult primary care providers and specialists during a difficult life transition.
Potential Negative Impacts for People
- Dependence on Future Funding: Provisions throughout the text, such as Section 340J(b)(2)(B) and Section 340J(c)(2)(B), state that the financial obligations of the United States and the corresponding obligations of the individuals are entirely contingent upon funds actually being appropriated by Congress. This could be seen as a burden or negative because if Congress fails to appropriate the money, the promised scholarships and loan repayments will not be paid out.
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 affects Black Americans, and the bill provides targeted funding for research, care, and community education to improve health outcomes for this population. Would people in their twenties and thirties be better off under this? — The bill establishes dedicated grants to help young adults with sickle cell disease transition smoothly from pediatric care to adult care. Would households on low incomes be better off under this? — The legislation allows the Secretary to prioritize scholarships and loan repayments for individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds. Would students be better off under this? — The bill provides scholarships and loan repayment opportunities for medical students pursuing studies and careers in sickle cell disease care. Would people in rural areas be better off under this? — The legislation explicitly allows for scholarship and loan repayment service settings in rural health clinics and mobile medical assets.
- Healthcare
- Does this make health care easier to get in general? — The bill authorizes programs to expand the supply of physicians specializing in sickle cell disease, improve community education, and support care transitions for patients. Does this put more money into medical research? — The legislation supports medical research and training focused on the detection, diagnosis, treatment, and control of sickle cell disease. Does this make mental health care easier to get? — The bill provides support services including mental health services for sickle cell patients managing their treatments during the transition to adult care.
- Education And Technology
- Does this reduce what student borrowers owe or repay? — The bill establishes a loan repayment program to assist medical students and physicians who agree to enter the field of sickle cell disease research and treatment. Does this put more money into scientific research? — The bill authorizes substantial appropriations to support research and educational programs pertaining to sickle cell disease.
- Social Issues And Justice
- Does this narrow racial gaps in how people are treated? — Sickle cell disease predominantly affects minority populations, particularly Black Americans, and the bill prioritizes individuals from disadvantaged backgrounds for scholarships and loan repayments.
- Economy And Finance
- Is this likely to create jobs? — The bill creates scholarship, loan repayment, and grant programs that incentivize and support medical professionals and support coordinators specializing in sickle cell care.
- Governance And Ideology
- Does this make what the government does easier for the public to see? — The bill mandates annual reporting by eligible entities and the Secretary on grant activities, health outcomes, and specialists trained.
- 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