Gov. Pritzker signs executive order to take on sickle cell disease

Posted on March 18, 2024
Gov. Pritzker. (Photo courtesy: WJBC/File)

By Dave Dahl

SPRINGFIELD – An executive order, which the governor signed Monday, takes on sickle cell disease. It’s diagnosed at birth and expensive to treat.

The order is for the Department of Healthcare and Family Services to find ways to get this through Medicare and Medicaid.

“Sickle cell disease is an inherent blood disorder affecting more than 100,000 people across the United States,” said State Rep. Camille Lilly (D-Chicago), “and more than 5,000 here in the state of Illinois.”

The illness especially afflicts people of color – one in every 365 Blacks, mainly because of lack of access to care. And it’s staggeringly expensive, said State Sen. Mattie Hunter (D-Chicago).

“We’ve talked about tens of thousands of dollars out-of-pocket throughout a person’s lifetime,” said Hunter, “to cover hospitalizations, blood transfusions, and other long-term care.”

Dave Dahl can be reached at [email protected].

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