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S5489119th CongressWALLET

Sickle Cell Care Expansion Act of 2026

Sponsored By: Senator Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

Introduced

Summary

Creates new federal programs to build the sickle cell disease workforce and community supports. It would set up scholarship and loan repayment for physicians, community education grants, and transition-of-care grants for ages 18–29, administered by the Health Resources and Services Administration (HRSA) and contingent on appropriations.

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  • For clinicians and trainees: Would create a dual-track Scholarship and Loan Repayment program to recruit and retain physicians for sickle cell disease research, clinical care, and education. Scholarships require one year of service for each funded school year and loan repayment covers principal and interest in exchange for service, with preference for applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds.
  • For communities and nonprofits: Creates a Community-Based Grants program to fund education, advocacy, mental health awareness, and outreach to improve access to care. Eligible recipients include community and faith-based organizations, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and nonprofit SCD clinics.
  • For young adults with SCD: Authorizes Transition-of-Care Grants for people ages 18 through 29 to fund transition coordinators, care management, mental health supports, assistance finding adult providers, and specialist training through fellowships and short programs; grantees must report annually on outcomes and specialists trained.

*Would authorize $150 million per year for the scholarship and loan repayment program, $50 million per year for community grants, and $70 million per year for transition grants for fiscal years 2027 through 2032, totaling $270 million per year, subject to appropriation.*

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Bill Overview

Analyzed Economic Effects

3 provisions identified: 3 benefits, 0 costs, 0 mixed.

Grants for local sickle cell education

If enacted, the bill would direct HHS to award grants to community groups, faith-based groups, clinics, Federally Qualified Health Centers, and nonprofits to run sickle cell education and outreach. Grants would fund health literacy, mental health awareness, information on services, and help patients make treatment decisions. The Secretary would consider local need when picking grantees. The program is authorized $50 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032, subject to appropriation.

Scholarships and loan relief for doctors

If enacted, the bill would create a HRSA program to give scholarships to medical students and loan repayment to clinicians who commit to sickle cell clinical care, education, or research. Scholarship recipients would owe one year of service for each school year paid, and loan repayment could cover principal, interest, and related loan expenses. The Secretary may prioritize applicants from disadvantaged backgrounds. The program is authorized $150 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032, and payments would depend on future appropriations.

Sickle cell transition help for young adults

If enacted, the bill would fund grants to help sickle cell patients ages 18 to 29 move from pediatric to adult care. Grants would pay for a transition coordinator, care management, help finding adult providers who work with the patient’s insurance, and mental health and appointment support. Hospitals and colleges could use funds to train adult sickle cell specialists through fellowships and short-term programs. Grantees must report patient outcomes to a registry, and HHS must report to Congress starting within two years. The program is authorized $70 million per year for fiscal years 2027 through 2032, subject to appropriation.

Sponsors & CoSponsors

Sponsor

Van Hollen, Chris [D-MD]

MD • D

Cosponsors

  • Sen. Booker, Cory A. [D-NJ]

    NJ • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

  • Sen. Klobuchar, Amy [D-MN]

    MN • D

    Sponsored 9/23/2026

Roll Call Votes

No roll call votes available for this bill.

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