Senators Jim Talent and Charles Schumer have introduced the bipartisan, bicameral "Sickle Cell I Treatment Act of 2003" (S. 874/H.R.1736). This bill currently has ~ Senate cosponsors as well as the I support of the Congressional Black Caucus and many other health, children's, church, union and African- American groups. This legislation will help treat Sickle Cell Disease patients, who are primarily African- Americans, and increase the number of services available to them.

- Increasing Access to Affordable, Quaality Health Care. Provides funding to currently eligible Medicaid recipients for physician and laboratory services targeted to SCD that are not currently reimbursed or are under-reimbursed by Medicaid.

-Enhancing Services Available to SCD PPatients. Allows states to receive a federal 50-50 funding match for non-medical expenses related to SCD treatment such as genetic counseling, community outreach, education and other services.

- Creating 40 SCD Treatment Centers. Authorizes an annual $10 million grant program for five years to create 40 treatment centers that will provide medical treatment, education and other services for SCD patients.

- Establishing a Sickle Cell Disease RResearch Headquarters. Creates a National Coordinating Center, operated by the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, to coordinate and oversee the SCD funding and research conducted at hospitals, universities and community-based organizations.

- Importantly, this disease managementt bill does not increase the number of Medicaid eligibles and the federal Medicaid match will stay the same.