Burgess, Davis Introduce Bill Designating September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month

Burgess, Davis Introduce Bill Designating September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month

Washington, D.C. - Today, Congressman Michael C. Burgess, M.D. (R-TX) and Congressman Danny Davis (D-IL) introduced a resolution that designates September as Sickle Cell Disease Awareness Month.

"Sickle cell disease has taken a toll on our nation for far too long," said Chairman Burgess. "This bill will increase awareness about sickle cell disease and encourage further research into early detection and treatments. I am grateful Congressman Davis joined me in our effort to bring greater attention to this condition. Awareness of this disease will lead to the improvement of preventions, cures, and treatments for the American patient."

"Better treatments and outcomes for patients affected by sickle cell disease do not happen by chance. It will take dedication and sacrifice to champion advancements for more effective and accessible forms of care. As a co-chair of the Congressional Sickle Cell Disease Caucus, I greatly appreciate Dr. Burgess joining me in this call to transform healthcare research and therapies to save lives in a bipartisan effort," said Congressman Danny K. Davis.

Click HERE for bill text.

Congressman Burgess also spoke on the House of Representatives floor in support of his bill the Sickle cell disease and other heritable blood disorders research, surveillance, prevention, and treatment Act that has passed on the House of Representatives floor, yesterday. This legislation will reauthorize the Health Resources and Services Administrations (HRSAs) Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program to increase access to essential care, treatment, and research for Americans living with sickle cell disease.

Click HERE for video.

Remarks as prepared below:

Mr. Speaker, I rise today in support of my bill H.R. 3884 the Sickle Cell Disease and Other Heritable Blood Disorders Research, Surveillance, Prevention, and Treatment Act. I am glad to see that this important legislation will be considered on the House floor this week. This bill will reauthorize the Health Resources and Services Administrations (HRSAs) Sickle Cell Disease Treatment Demonstration Program to increase access to essential care, treatment, and research for Americans living with sickle cell disease.

Sickle Cell Disease is an inherited blood disorder that causes an individual's red blood cells to contort into a "C" or sickle shape, reducing its ability to carry oxygen throughout the body. An adult living with SCD has an average lifespan of 20 to 30 years shorter than an adult who does not have the disease.

Being a physician for 30 years, I worked with many families and treated patients in my practice suffering from this complex disease. Proper treatment requires early knowledge, intervention, and care coordination. It is important that we have the resources to encourage more research and data to better inform how to evaluate treatment plans while improving quality of life for patients and families affected by this disease.

This legislation will continue to improve physician and patient education as well as assist with best practices for care coordination. By having access to these programs, the patient and physician will continue to have the ability to identify the problem early on, therefore providing more time to terminate the disease from having a horrific effect on the wellbeing of the patient.

I thank my fellow members, Representatives Davis and Carter for championing this important legislation with me as we improve the lives of those living with sickle cell disease by providing better access to care in our communities. I am also honored to introduce a bill tomorrow that will recognize September as "National Sickle Cell Awareness Month", so communities around the nation can be educated on this disease and prevent it from taking any more human lives. Thank you Mr. Speaker and I yield back.

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